title: Ultrasonographic findings of the pancreas in cats with elevated serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatitis is a common disease in cats that is difficult to diagnose.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic changes of the pancreas with serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) as the standard for diagnosis of pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  35 cats with clinical signs consistent with pancreatitis with an abdominal ultrasound examination and serum fPLI concentration measured within 3 days of the ultrasound.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study: Pancreatic thickness, pancreatic margination, pancreatic echogenicity, and peripancreatic fat echogenicity were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with an elevated serum fPLI concentration indicative of pancreatitis as the standard for diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum fPLI was elevated and diagnostic for pancreatitis in 19 of 35 cats. The single ultrasound characteristic with the highest sensitivity was hyperechoic peripancreatic fat at 68% (95% confidence interval = 44-87%), indicating a moderate probability that cats with pancreatitis will have this abnormality on ultrasonographic examination. Specificity was >90% for each of increased pancreatic thickness, abnormal pancreatic margin, and hyperechoic peripancreatic fat. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 84% (95% confidence interval = 60-97%) and 75% (95% confidence interval = 48-93%), respectively, in cats with elevated serum fPLI indicative of pancreatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of a thick left limb of the pancreas, severely irregular pancreatic margins, and hyperechoic peripancreatic fat in cats with appropriate clinical signs and elevated serum fPLI are highly supportive of pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Panciera
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Werre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D008049:Lipase
keywords: Abdominal ultrasound; Pancreatitis; Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity