A Reference Interval for CT-Based Liver Volume in Dogs without Hepatic Disease.

Simple Summary: The measurement of canine liver size is essential, particularly in the evaluation of hepatic disease. Computed tomography (CT)-based liver volumetry can be useful for the assessment of liver size, but the reference interval has not been reported in dogs without hepatic disease. The purpose of the present study was to define the reference interval for CT-based liver volume normalized by body weight in dogs with no history of hepatic disease. The weight-based reference interval lower limit of 11.1–15.5 (90% confidence interval [CI]) to an upper limit of 31.9–42.6 (90% CI) cm³/kg was defined by evaluating CT scans of 121 dogs with no history of hepatic disease. This weight-based reference interval provides an accurate assessment of liver volume changes in dogs with various hepatic diseases, thereby facilitating the diagnosis and management of hepatic disease in veterinary medicine. In both human and veterinary medicine, computed tomography (CT) volumetry provides a quantitative and accurate measure of liver volume. While CT volumetry is recognized as a useful method for assessing liver volume in dogs, a statistically significant reference interval for liver volume in dogs with no history of hepatic disease has not been reported. The purpose of the present study was to define a reference interval for liver volume with no history of hepatic disease using CT volumetry. Medical records from 2 June 2020 to 25 July 2022 were retrospectively reviewed, including 121 dogs that underwent abdominal CT scans and had no history of hepatic disease. Liver volumes were measured using CT volumetry and normalized by body weight. The median of normalized CT-based liver volume in 121 dogs was 22.2 cm³/kg. Based on these data, a weight-based reference interval lower limit of 11.1–15.5 (90% confidence interval [CI]) to an upper limit of 31.9–42.6 (90% CI) cm³/kg for CT-based liver volume was defined in dogs without hepatic disease. This study provides an accurate assessment of liver volume changes in dogs with various hepatic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]