Computed Tomographic Findings in Dogs with Hepatic Bacterial Parenchymal Infection and Abscessation

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Comparative Pathology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Bacterial liver parenchymal infections in dogs are infrequently documented.
• Imaging characteristics, particularly via Computed Tomography (CT), are scarce in veterinary literature.
• Understanding these features is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the CT characteristics of bacterial liver infection and abscessation in dogs.
• To compare canine CT findings with those reported in human literature.
• To aid in the diagnostic process for canine hepatic bacterial infections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multicentric study.
• Inclusion of twenty dogs with bacterial liver infections.
• Analysis of Computed Tomography (CT) scans and associated clinical data.

Main Results:

• Nineteen of twenty dogs presented with discrete hepatic lesions consistent with pyogenic liver abscess.
• CT findings for canine pyogenic liver abscesses align with human literature, including multifocal/single, round/ovoid, hypoattenuating lesions.
• Common CT features included lymphadenomegaly, peritoneal fat stranding, peritoneal fluid, "cluster sign", transient arterial enhancement, rim enhancement, and intralesional gas.

Conclusions:

• CT imaging provides valuable insights into bacterial liver infections in dogs, particularly pyogenic abscesses.
• Canine pyogenic liver abscesses share significant imaging similarities with human counterparts.
• CT findings, alongside clinical signs like abdominal pain, aid in diagnosing these infections.