HEPATIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH HEPATOCUTANEOUS SYNDROME - NEW CONCEPTS

In dogs, hepatocutaneous syndrome (superficial necrolytic dermatitis) belongs to a group of syndromes in which cutaneous signs signal the pr esence of systemic disease. It is characterized by parakeratosis, supe rficial necrolysis, and basilar hyperplasia of the epidermis, in assoc iation with an unusual hepatopathy accompanied by certain metabolic de rangements. Hepatocutaneous syndrome was diagnosed in 3 dogs on the ba sis of typical dermatologic changes and clinicopathologic findings. He patic ultrasonography revealed a hyperechoic network surrounding hypoe choic areas of parenchyma, resulting in a Swiss cheese-like appearance . The ultrasonographic image corresponded to the pathological findings . The liver had a nodular appearance, both grossly and microscopically ; this was attributed to collapse of the areas of parenchyma surroundi ng the nodules, rather than to the cirrhosis and/or nodular hyperplasi a reported previously. (C) 1995 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.