Portosystemic shunt in a 9-year-old cat: diagnostic value of CT – case report

Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are rare vascular anomalies in cats, and they can be challenging to diagnose without advanced imaging techniques. The aim of this study was to highlight the utility of computed tomography (CT) in the identification and precise characterization of CPSS, by presenting a clinical case of a 9-year-old adult cat with progressive neurological signs. Following suggestive biochemical findings (elevated bile acids and ammonia) and inconclusive abdominal ultrasound, CT angiography confirmed a single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt of the left gastrophrenic type. The cat underwent successful partial surgical ligation, resulting in complete clinical remission. This study emphasizes the superior diagnostic accuracy of CT over other imaging methods, especially in atypical or late-presenting cases, and demonstrates its essential role in surgical planning. The case is notable for the late diagnosis of a congenital condition and supports the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach.