Hepatic ultrasonographic findings in experimental carbon tetrachloride intoxication of the dog.

Abstract

An experimental study was undertaken in dogs with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxication to describe and follow the changes in the ultrasound appearance of the liver. Characteristic ultrasound features (enlarged liver, increased echogenicity with fine, tightly-packed echoes, and loss of echogenicity of the portal vein walls) were seen from day 2 of the experiment, culminating between days 2 and 7. Subsequently the liver gradually and almost completely regained its normal ultrasound appearance. Ultrasonographic findings corresponded to the severity of the clinicopathological parameters, and changed parallel with the results of liver biopsies. Histology of the biopsy samples revealed acute centrolobular lipid accumulation with necrobiosis and necrosis in the hepatocytes in the first stage of the disease. In the second stage, a secondary reparatory-inflammatory process and reparation in the interstitial tissue were seen. In some dogs, ill-defined hyperechoic foci were observed within the liver during the regenerative phase. Hepatic ultrasonography seems to be a reliable and relatively sensitive method for monitoring liver dystrophy with necrobiosis and lipid accumulation and to follow the course of steatosis in clinical cases. Ultrasound-guided biopsy can further improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in liver dystrophy.

• Authors: K Vörös, M Albert, F Vetési, G y Harmat, K Binder, F Szaniszló
• Journal: Acta veterinaria Hungarica (Acta Vet Hung) Vol. 45 Issue 2 Pg. 137-50 ( 1997) ISSN: 0236-6290 [Print] Hungary
• PMID: 9270137 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Lipids
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Aspartate Aminotransferases
• Alanine Transaminase

Topics

• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Animals
• Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
• Biopsy (methods, veterinary)
• Carbon Tetrachloride (toxicity)
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury (diagnostic imaging, pathology, veterinary)
• Dog Diseases (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Dogs
• Female
• Lipids (analysis)
• Liver (diagnostic imaging, drug effects, pathology)
• Liver Diseases (diagnostic imaging, veterinary)
• Male
• Microscopy, Electron (methods, veterinary)
• Ultrasonography