Evidence-Based Medicine: Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Cholecystocentesis in the Cat

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2020 Sep;50(5):1123-1134. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.06.007. Epub 2020 Jul 14.

Abstract

Cholangitis is a common cause of hepatobiliary disease in the cat. Feline cholangitis is characterized as neutrophilic (acute or chronic), lymphocytic, or caused by liver flukes. The neutrophilic form is caused by bacterial infection of the biliary system, and identification of the specific bacterial agent guides treatment. Bile is the sample of choice for cytology and bacterial culture in these cases, and percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis is used to obtain that sample. This review covers the literature that provides evidence for safety and usefulness of percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis as part of the diagnostic work-up of cats suspected of having hepatobiliary disease.

Keywords: Cholangitis; Cholecystocentesis; Feline; Hepatobiliary; Hyperbilirubinemia; PUC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / veterinary
  • Cat Diseases / surgery*
  • Cats
  • Cholangitis / surgery*
  • Cholecystectomy / veterinary
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / veterinary