Vet Med - Czech, 2023, 68(11):435-442 | DOI: 10.17221/76/2023-VETMED

Gallbladder atrophy associated with pancreatitis: Clinical and advanced imaging diagnosis in a dogCase Report

D Han ORCID...1, DI Jung ORCID...2
1 Choi Youngmin Animal Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2 Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea

Gallbladder atrophy (GBA) is characterised by a reduction in the size and volume of the gallbladder. In human medicine, it is well-established that GBA frequently occurs together with pathologies affecting the gallbladder and pancreas. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently a dearth of reported cases of GBA in dogs within the veterinary field. In this study, we present a case report of GBA in a 7-year-old Yorkshire Terrier. The diagnosis of GBA was confirmed using abdominal ultrasonography and advanced imaging techniques, including computed tomography, which were performed over a 4-year period. The patient initially presented with predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms, which were subsequently diagnosed and treated as pancreatitis. Concurrently, a gallbladder nodule and an anomalous structure suspected to be cholelithiasis were identified. However, during the 4-year follow-up, the gallbladder structure regressed, leaving only the presence of the gallbladder nodule. Notably, cholecystectomy was not performed, and apart from pancreatitis-related symptoms, the patient did not show any gallbladder-related problems throughout the spontaneous atrophic process. Based on these findings, we propose that the observed GBA was likely induced by cholecystitis associated with pancreatitis. This case underscores the significance of considering GBA as a potential diagnosis in canine patients presenting with pancreatitis and gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, it highlights the value of comprehensive diagnostic imaging in accurately determining the underlying cause of these symptoms.

Keywords: cholecystitis; cholelithiasis; computed tomography; gastroinetstinal symptom; nodule

Received: July 6, 2023; Revised: October 9, 2023; Accepted: October 20, 2023; Prepublished online: November 20, 2023; Published: November 30, 2023  Show citation

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Han D, Jung D. Gallbladder atrophy associated with pancreatitis: Clinical and advanced imaging diagnosis in a dog. Vet Med - Czech. 2023;68(11):435-442. doi: 10.17221/76/2023-VETMED.
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