ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CHOLECYSTOKININ-INDUCED PANCREATITIS IN DOGS

Pancreatitis can be induced in dogs by intravenous infusion of supraph ysiologic doses of synthetic cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), Eigh t anesthetized female beagles were given either CCK-8 or saline in a r andomized, blinded fashion and had abdominal ultrasonography to study the development of pancreatic lesions, Pancreatic lesions were apparen t 2 hours after the start of CCK-I infusion and included swelling, int erlobular and subcapsular fluid accumulation and patchy hypoechogenici ty of the gland parenchyma. CCK-8 had a variable effect on gallbladder emptying. No signs of biliary obstruction or duodenal lesions were id entified. Dogs given CCK-8 had severe edematous pancreatitis at necrop sy six hours after the start of the infusion, Compared to the oleic ac id model of pancreatitis, CCK-8 infusion induces a rapid onset of panc reatitis and an ultrasonographic appearance that reflects diffuse edem a of the gland. The short time-scale of the experiment may account for the relative absence of secondary lesions affecting the biliary tract or duodenum compared to the naturally-occurring disease.