RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is considered highly accurate in the diagnosis of human pancreatitis due to its ability to completely evaluate the pancreas, its contrast enhancement patterns, regional vasculature, along with rapid acquisition times. These properties can be valuable in dogs due to the morbidity of acute pancreatitis and under‐diagnosis with current methods. The aim of this study was to compare CTA to ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in canine acute pancreatitis. Twenty‐five dogs met inclusion criteria: 15 prospectively enrolled and 10 included from a pilot project* in this cross‐sectional study. Inclusion was based on fulfilling two of three criteria: strong clinical suspicion of pancreatitis, ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatitis, and/or SNAPR positive canine pancreatitis lipase (cPLI) test. A SpecR cPLI was obtained and an abdominal ultrasound was performed followed within 24 hours by a sedated abdominal three phase CTA. The results showed that CTA visualized the entire pancreas in 100% of dogs; ultrasonography visualized the entire pancreas in 73% of dogs. 10/25 dogs had heterogeneous contrast enhancement of the pancreas. CTA significantly identified more portal vein thromboses than ultrasound; CT= 10/25 and ultrasound= 1/25 (p value < 0.01). Dogs with heterogeneous contrast enhancement were significantly more likely to have portal vein thrombosis (p value <0.01). This study suggests that dogs with acute pancreatitis and heterogeneous pancreatic contrast enhancement may be predisposed to portal vein thromboses and that CTA more accurately identified these findings.