Clinical communication — Kliniese mededeling Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography and volume-rendered imaging for evaluation of cellophane banding in a dog with extrahepatic portosystemic shunt

INTRODUCTION Portosystemic shunts are anomalous vessels that join the portal and systemic venous circulation, allowing most of the portal blood to bypass the liver and enter the systemic circulation and are classified as intrahepatic or extrahepatic. Portosystemic shunting occurs either as a single congenital shunt or as multiple acquired shunts due to chronic portal hypertension. Radiographic angiography, scintigraphy, sonography, computed tomography angiography (CTA) , 7 , 2 , and magnetic resonance angiography have been used to characterise portosystemic shunts in dogs. The recent development of computed tomographic equipment and imaging software has permitted the acquisition of highly accurate images of the portal system. Presently available surgical options include complete ligation with suture materials, ameroid ring constrictor placement and cellophane banding. A surgical technique using cellophane bands for treatment of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts has been described, but the results concerning the degree of occlusion after cellophane band placement have not been reported. This case report describes the use of cellophane banding using preand postoperative contrast-enhanced CTA and volume-rendered imaging (VRI) in a dog.