Does hepatic steatosis have an impact on the short term hepatic response after complete attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts? A prospective study of 20 dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between hepatic steatosis and increase in liver size and resolution of shunting after surgical attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective study.

ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 20) with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

METHODS

Shunts were attenuated using ameroid ring constrictors. Portal blood flow and liver volume were evaluated using computed tomography before and ≥8 weeks after surgery. Hepatic steatosis was quantified by stereological point counting of lipid droplets and lipogranulomas (LG) in liver biopsies stained with Oil-red-O. Associations between steatosis and preoperative liver volume, liver growth after surgery, and development of acquired shunts were evaluated.

RESULTS

Acquired shunts developed in 2 dogs (10%). Dogs with larger preoperative liver volumes relative to bodyweight had fewer lipid droplets per tissue point (P = .019). LG per tissue point were significantly associated with age: 0.019 ± 0.06 for dogs <12 months versus 0.25 ± 0.49 for dogs >12 months (P = .007). There was a significant positive association between liver growth after surgery and the number of LG/month of age in dogs >12 months (P = .003). There was no association between steatosis, presence of macrosteatosis, the number of LG or development of acquired shunts.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study suggests that the presence of hepatic lipidosis and LG has no demonstrable effect on development of acquired shunts or the magnitude of increase in liver volume after attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.