Imaging diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis in a cat

Abstract

A 5-year-old intact female Persian cat was referred with anorexia and vomiting. Physical examination revealed icterus in the pinna, oral mucosa, and sclera. Ultrasonography revealed several findings including uniformly hyperechoic hepatic parenchyma compared to adjacent falciform fat, increased attenuation of the ultrasound beam, and poor visualization of intrahepatic vessel borders. Computed tomography revealed hypoattenuation of the hepatic parenchyma with a radiodensity value of -60 Hounsfield units. The adjacent intrahepatic vessels appeared hyperattenuated relative to the hepatic parenchyma as if the vessels were contrast-enhanced. Based on ultrasonography and computed tomography results, the cat was tentatively diagnosed as feline hepatic lipidosis.