Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine if there are T1-weighted signal hyperintensities in the lentiform nucleus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of dogs with portal vein hypoplasia,
suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy.
METHODS The medical records from 2014 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for dogs diagnosed with portal vein hypoplasia on histopathology, with no macroscopic shunt. Dogs were included if they had also had a brain MRI scan performed. Control dogs with a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy that had a brain MRI scan were age and breed matched. T1-weighted MRI signal intensity of the lentiform nucleus was quantified by a blinded observer, using a previously described technique. The mean lentiform nucleus index was compared between groups with an independent samples T-test.
RESULTS In total 6 portal vein hypoplasia and 6 control dogs were identified. The mean lentiform nucleus index for portal vein hypoplasia dogs was 0.925 (standard deviation
+/– 0.084) and for control dogs was 0.902 (standard deviation +/– 0.060). This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.601).
STATEMENT (CONCLUSIONS) This study did not find evidence of lentiform nucleus changes on MRI as previously described in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts. Portal vein hypoplasia may not result in hepatic encephalopathy, or alternatively this may be less severe than in dogs with macroscopic shunts, however larger studies are required to further establish this
suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy.
METHODS The medical records from 2014 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for dogs diagnosed with portal vein hypoplasia on histopathology, with no macroscopic shunt. Dogs were included if they had also had a brain MRI scan performed. Control dogs with a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy that had a brain MRI scan were age and breed matched. T1-weighted MRI signal intensity of the lentiform nucleus was quantified by a blinded observer, using a previously described technique. The mean lentiform nucleus index was compared between groups with an independent samples T-test.
RESULTS In total 6 portal vein hypoplasia and 6 control dogs were identified. The mean lentiform nucleus index for portal vein hypoplasia dogs was 0.925 (standard deviation
+/– 0.084) and for control dogs was 0.902 (standard deviation +/– 0.060). This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.601).
STATEMENT (CONCLUSIONS) This study did not find evidence of lentiform nucleus changes on MRI as previously described in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts. Portal vein hypoplasia may not result in hepatic encephalopathy, or alternatively this may be less severe than in dogs with macroscopic shunts, however larger studies are required to further establish this
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | BSAVA Congress Proceedings 2019 |
| Pages | 430-430 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 10.22233/9781910443699.59.1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2019 |