Computed tomography in the diagnosis of steroidal hepatopathy in a dog: case report

• Main Authors: D.C Oliveira, L.A.V.S Costa, B.F Lopes, A.B Lanis, D.C Borlini, J.A Maia Júnior, F.S Costa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais 2011-02-01
• Series: Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
• Subjects: cão; tomografia computadorizada helicoidal; glicogenose; esteatose; prednisona
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-09352011000100006&lng=en&tlng=en

It is reported a case of an eight-year-old Yorkshire Terrier dog, with a history of prolonged use of prednisone in a dosage of 1mg/kg of body weight each 24 hours during two years. The helical computed tomography revealed hepatomegaly associated to a hyperattenuation of the parenchyma, with a radiodensity value of 82.55 Hounsfield units (HU). The spleen presented a mean radiodensity of 57.17HU, and a radiodensity difference of 25.38HU was observed between the two organs. Based on the history and findings of imaging technique, it was determined the presumptive diagnosis of steroidal hepatopathy compatible with accumulation of hepatic glycogen. It was concluded that computed tomography enabled the characterization of hepatic injury and the presumed diagnosis of steroidal hepatopathy