Radiographic, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic findings in cats with inflammatory bowel disease of the stomach and small intestine: 33 cases (1990-1997)
Baez, J.L.; Hendrick, M.J.; Walker, L.M.; Washabau, R.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 215(3): 349-354
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10434972 Document Number: 502881
Imaging findings were evaluated in 33 cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach and small intestine). All cats had one or more clinical signs (vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and anorexia) consistent with IBD. Lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltrates were observed in histological sections of gastrointestinal tissue. Crypt distortion, villous blunting and fusion, and fibrosis were most commonly seen in cats with moderate or severe IBD. Clinico-pathological findings in some cats included anaemia, leukocytosis or leukopenia, hypocholesterolaemia, and hyper- or hypoproteinaemia. Abnormalities were not found on abdominal radiographic views in 9 of 9 cats. However, contrast studies using barium revealed radiographic abnormalities in 1 of 3 cats. In 13 of 17 cats, abdominal ultrasonography revealed several intestinal abnormalities (poor intestinal wall layer definition and focal thickening) and large mesenteric lymph nodes with hypoechoic changes consistent with IBD. Endoscopic observation revealed findings (erythema, plaques, mucosal friability) consistent with inflammation in 9 of 18 cats. It is concluded that compared with endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract or abdominal radiography, clinical signs and ultrasonographic findings appear to have the best association with histological grade of IBD in cats.