title: Diagnosis of a porto-azygous shunt using helical computed tomography angiography.
abstract: Congenital portosystemic shunts occur uncommonly in dogs. Conventional diagnostic methods either do not offer simultaneous diagnosis and anatomic characterization or require an invasive selective catheterization. Helical computed tomography (HCT) is a rapid, noninvasive means of acquiring cross-sectional images of any portion of the body. Combined with a peripheral venous injection of contrast medium, HCT can produce computer-rendered, "angiogram-like" images of vasculature. These computer-generated multiplanar and three-dimensional HCT angiographic images were helpful in the diagnosis and accurate anatomic characterization of a porto-azygous shunt. A brief discussion of scanner and contrast medium protocol considerations necessary to achieve adequate vascular opacification for volumetric data reconstructions and diagnosis are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610-0126, USA.
authors.forename: Margret S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Mariani
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001658:Biliary Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary