Anatomical Evaluation of Extrahepatic Ducts Using Drip Infusion Cholangiography CT Imaging in Healthy Beagles

Abstract

Variations of the hepatic duct terminal were examined using CT imaging by drip infusion cholangiography（DIC-CT) in 41 healthy beagles. The order of termination of hepatic ducts proximal to the gallbladder was also classified into two. In most of the dogs (36/41:88%), the hepatic duct from the right medial lobe was terminated in the common bile duct (CBD). In 12% of the dogs (5/41), the end of the duct from the quadrate lobe terminated in the CBD in a more proximal position than the end of the duct from the right medial lobe. The length of the CBD was 54.25 ± 6.59 mm (mean ± SD). This study showed anatomical variations of the canine extrahepatic ducts. These results suggest that DIC-CT imaging, especially laparoscopic cholecystectomy, may be useful for preoperative screening.