33rd Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction: Vascular hepatic anatomy in cats has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims were to describe the feline intrahepatic vascular anatomy and compare the results with the described canine intrahepatic vascular anatomy.

Materials and Methods: Corrosion casts of the portal and hepatic venous systems of feline cadavers were analysed using computed tomography CT studies.

Results: Seven feline livers, harvested from cats that died or were euthanized for reasons not related to this study, were used. A consistent intrahepatic portal and venous vascular anatomy, with only minor disparities in the numbers of secondary and tertiary branches was found. Interestingly, the feline portal vein consistently divided into two major branches and not three, as previously described. Furthermore, in 4/7 specimens the portal vein originating from the right medial lobe branch was found to lead to the quadrate lobe, representing a novelty for the feline anatomy. Finally, partial to complete fusion of the caudate process and the right lateral lobe, with a lack of clear venous separation between the lobes, was present in two specimens.

Discussion/Conclusion: CT imaging of corrosion casts allowed for a detailed study of the feline intrahepatic portal and hepatic venous vasculature. The anatomy was consistent with previous findings on canine intrahepatic anatomy, although showing some major variations between specimens. Further studies are necessary to confirm the present findings, investigate the prevalence of the variations described in a broader population and the surgical implications of this study results.