Background: Liver lobe torsion is uncommon in dogs, usually presented with acute non-specific clinical signs. It is commonly diagnosed at ultrasonographic examination, with increased size and hypoechogenicity of the torsed lobe, and lack of Doppler signal in its vessels.
Case description: A two years old White Swiss Shepherd was presented for acute vomiting and lethargy, without abdominal pain. The biological workup revealed dehydration, mild neutrophilia and lymphopenia, and signs of coagulopathy. An ultrasonographic examination led to a diagnosis of left lateral hepatic lobe torsion, with an unusual aspect: the torsed lobe was homogeneously hyperechoic. The diagnosis was confirmed surgically and at histopathologic examination. The dog’s clinical evolution after lobar hepatectomy was good.
Conclusion: The unusual ultrasonographic features suggest that hepatic lobe torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis of hyperechoic hepatic lobar lesions. The satisfying clinical evolution also supports the fact that the outcome is good with early surgery.
Dog, Hepatic disease, Torsion, Acute , Hepatectomy