Preliminary Studies on the Intrahepatic Anatomy of the Venous Vasculature in Cats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The anatomy of the intrahepatic veins in cats has never been thoroughly described; thus, veterinary surgeons have based their techniques on previous knowledge about canine liver anatomy for hepatic surgeries in both dogs and cats. We used corrosion cast techniques and advanced imaging modalities on feline cadavers to describe the anatomy of the portal and hepatic veins in the feline liver. The anatomy seems consistent with that in previous studies in dogs; nevertheless, several relevant vascular differences could be identified between specimens and species and should be assessed pre-operatively to avoid surgical complications. ABSTRACT: Hepatic surgeries are often performed in cats to obtain a disease diagnosis, for the removal of masses, or for the treatment of shunts. Whereas the vascular anatomy of the liver has been studied in dogs, such evidence is lacking in cats. The current study used corrosion casts of portal and hepatic veins and computed tomography (CT) analysis of the casts to identify and describe the intrahepatic anatomy in healthy cat livers (n = 7). The results showed that feline livers had a consistent intrahepatic portal and venous anatomy, with only minor disparities in the numbers of secondary and tertiary branches. The feline portal vein consistently divided into two major branches and not three, as previously described in the literature for cats. The finding of a portal vein originating from the right medial lobe branch leading to the quadrate lobe in 4/7 specimens is a novelty of the feline anatomy that was not previously described in dogs. Partial to complete fusion of the caudate process of the caudate and the right lateral lobe, with a lack of clear venous separation between the lobes, was present in two specimens. These findings allowed a detailed description of the most common intrahepatic venous patterns in cats. Further anatomical studies should be encouraged to confirm the present findings and to investigate the utility of this information in surgical settings.