QUANTITATIVE ULTRASONIC ASSESSMENT OF LIVER SIZE IN THE DOG

Abstract

Static and real‐time B‐mode hepatic ultrasound imaging was performed on 16 anesthetized dogs (7.7–29 kg). Sagittal static B‐mode scans were acquired at 1–cm intervals, and transverse scans were made with both static and real‐time units. Measurements were made from the surface of the liver to the diaphragm and were tested individually and when added or multiplied together for significant correlation with liver and body weight. Only one of the static B‐mode measurements had a significant correlation (p >0.05), and none of the real‐time measurements was dependent on liver weight. Ultrasonographic assessment of canine liver size using these methods was of little value in predicting actual liver weight.