title: COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC AND ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CAVERNOUS TRANSFORMATION OF THE OBSTRUCTED PORTAL VEIN IN SMALL ANIMALS.
abstract: In humans, the process of development of collateral vessels with hepatopetal flow around the portal vein in order to bypass an obstruction is called "cavernous transformation of the portal vein." The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional, multicentric study was to describe presumed cavernous transformation of the portal vein in small animals with portal vein obstruction using ultrasound and multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). Databases from three different institutions were searched for patients with an imaging diagnosis of cavernous transformation of the portal vein secondary to portal vein obstruction of any cause. Images were retrieved and reanalyzed. With MDCT-angiography, two main portoportal collateral pathways were identified: short tortuous portoportal veins around/inside the thrombus and long portoportal collaterals bypassing the site of portal obstruction. Three subtypes of the long collaterals, often coexisting, were identified. Branches of the hepatic artery where involved in collateral circulation in nine cases. Concomitant acquired portosystemic shunts were identified in six patients. With ultrasound, cavernous transformation of the portal vein was suspected in three dogs and one cat based on visualization of multiple and tortuous vascular structures corresponding to periportal collaterals. In conclusion, the current study provided descriptive MDCT and ultrasonographic characteristics of presumed cavernous transformation of the portal vein in a sample of small animals. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein could occur as a single condition or could be concurrent with acquired portosystemic shunts.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada.
authors: Swan
authors: S
authors: Specchi
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada.
authors: Pascaline
authors: P
authors: Pey
authors: San Marco Veterinary Clinic, Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Via Sorio 114/c, Padua, 35141, Italy.
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Ledda
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695.
authors: Meghann
authors: M
authors: Lustgarten
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695.
authors: Donald
authors: D
authors: Thrall
authors: San Marco Veterinary Clinic, Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Via Sorio 114/c, Padua, 35141, Italy.
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Bertolini
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000662:veterinary; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: CT-angiography; Cavernous transformation; obstruction; portal collaterals; portal vein