A Reference Interval for CT-Based Liver Volume in Dogs without Hepatic Disease

Area of Science:

• Veterinary medicine
• Diagnostic imaging
• Hepatology

Background:

• Computed tomography (CT) volumetry is a precise method for measuring liver volume in veterinary medicine.
• A validated reference interval for normal liver volume in dogs using CT volumetry is currently lacking.
• Accurate liver volume assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing canine hepatic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define a statistically significant reference interval for canine liver volume using CT volumetry.
• To establish normal weight-based liver volume ranges in dogs without a history of hepatic disease.
• To provide a benchmark for identifying abnormal liver volumes in canine patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records from 121 dogs without hepatic disease who underwent abdominal CT scans.
• Liver volumes were quantified using CT volumetry and normalized by body weight (cm³/kg).
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine a 90% confidence interval for the reference range.

Main Results:

• The median normalized CT-based liver volume in the study cohort was 22.2 cm³/kg.
• A weight-based reference interval for CT-based liver volume was established: lower limit of 11.1-15.5 cm³/kg to an upper limit of 31.9-42.6 cm³/kg (90% CI).
• These results provide the first statistically significant reference interval for normal canine liver volume.

Conclusions:

• This study successfully defined a reference interval for CT-based liver volume in healthy dogs.
• The established reference range aids in the quantitative assessment of liver volume changes in dogs with hepatic conditions.
• These findings enhance the diagnostic capabilities of CT volumetry in veterinary hepatology.