The cytologic features of biliary diseases: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

Histologic examination, together with clinical data and instrument support, contributes to the recognition of biliary diseases. Although quantitative and qualitative changes in hepatic and biliary cells can occur, descriptions of cytologic samples from the liver affected by cholangiopathies are rare.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the quantitative and qualitative changes in cholangiocytes, hepatocytes, and inflammatory cells in cytologic samples from dogs and cats affected by histologically confirmed cholangiopathies.

METHODS

Cytologic samples from the liver with histologically confirmed cholangiopathies were reviewed and compared to describe the changes seen on cytology. The samples were obtained from the Archive of Clinica Veterinaria Sant'Antonio and the Laboratorio Veterinario Bresciano. Statistical analysis was not performed.

RESULTS

A total of 196 cytologic samples retrieved from the database fit the selection criteria, 88 from dogs, and 108 from cats. A total of eight categories of cholangiopathies have been identified and described, while histology is often required to achieve a definitive diagnosis, six categories of cholangiopathy in dogs and seven in cats provide cytologic information.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytologic examination, together with clinical and ultrasonographic data, can be useful for identifying hepatic abnormalities in acute and chronic cholestasis, chronic cholangitis, feline lymphoplasmacytic cholangitis, and cholangiocellular neoplasms.