Quantitative computed tomography of the liver in dogs submitted to prednisone therapy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible alterations in radiodensity of the hepatic parenchyma and spleen resulting from the corticotherapy with prednisone, correlating these findings with serum biochemical hepatic transaminase activity. A clinical trial was performed on eight healthy dogs with the intent of evaluating possible hepatic alterations after prednisone therapy using quantitative computed tomography. All animals received prednisone orally at a dose of 2mg/kg of weight for 30 days. The radiodensity of the liver and spleen was determined before and after the period that the medication was administered. An increase in the radiodensity of the hepatic parenchyma between the initial and final experimental stages was observed. In the present study the existence of early hepatic alterations were verified, which are compatible with glycogen storage.

Triple-Phase Multidetector Computed Tomography in Distinguishing Canine Hepatic Lesions

“…The information regarding this type of liver pathology is limited to a few reports dealing with steroid hepatopathy in dogs [ 18 , 19 ] and hepatic lipidosis in cats [ 20 , 21 ]. The attenuation values of the canine liver with steroid hepatopathy were measured only in the pre-contrast CT examination, and were reported as hyperattenuating [ 18 , 19 ]. Steroid hepatopathy is characterized by glycogen accumulation in the liver parenchyma [ 22 ].…”