Canine (Miniature Schnauzer) · Ultrasound — Abdomen
- Species
- Canine
- Breed
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Age
- 8 years
- Sex
- Male neutered
- Weight
- 7 kg
- Level
- Radiologist
Presenting complaint and brief history
The patient presented for lethargy and inappetence with a history of diabetes mellitus. Examination confirmed diabetic ketoacidosis with a mixed acid-base disturbance.
Diagnosis
Hides the diagnosis, imaging findings, outcome, take-home points and correlation photos so you can read the images blind.
Pancreatitis with pedunculated nodules and surrounding steatitis
Highly suspected
Imaging findings
- The pancreatic body and left limb are markedly enlarged with irregular margins, surrounded by markedly hyperechoic mesenteric fat and interdigitating pockets of anechoic fluid.
- Two pedunculated cavited nodules extend off of the pancreatic body.
- Adjacent descending duodenum, stomach, and transverse colon exhibit mild mural thickening and mild loss of layering contiguous with the inflamed pancreas.
- Regional lymph nodes are moderately enlarged.
- A mild volume of free peritoneal effusion is present, along with diffuse hyperechoic hepatomegaly containing multiple poorly defined hypoechoic nodules.
What happened with the patient
Treated medically. Fine needle aspirates declined. Patient condition did not improve and owners elected for humane euthanasia.
Key take-home points
- Although abscesses are suspected in this case, neoplasia (such as carcinoma) remains a consideration. Other differential diagnoses for the pancreatic nodules include pseudocysts and granulomas.
- Severe acute pancreatitis can induce marked contiguous mural thickening and corrugation of adjacent gastrointestinal segments that mimics primary bowel disease. This tends to worsen the prognosis.
- Regional steatitis manifesting as intensely hyperechoic mesentery with interdigitating fluid pockets is a hallmark of severe peripancreatic necrosis and inflammation.
Some fields on this case were drafted with AI assistance from the contributor's own report or dictation, then reviewed by the contributor and by a reviewer before publication. How we use AI.
Contributed by
- Oren Ofer
DVM, DVSc, DACVR
50 cases
Educational use only — not clinical advice.
Cite this case
Ofer O. Pancreatitis with pedunculated nodules and surrounding steatitis. Radabase case 6f6104ba. Retrieved 2026-10-30 from https://www.radabase.vet/case/6f6104ba-1954-441c-a755-bfe0d4424322
Discussion
Questions and observations from colleagues. Never post identifying patient or owner information.
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