Student Case Presentation
Identifying Liver Biopsy Site in Cattle Using Anatomical Landmarks or an Ultrasound-Guided Approach
| Date/Time: |
8/27/2026 4:15 PM
|
| Presenter: |
Madison Whiddon |
| Veterinary School: |
AUB |
Abstract:
Madison Whiddon, Jenna Bayne, Thomas Passler, and Robert Cole 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL Background: Percutaneous liver biopsy in cattle is traditionally performed using anatomical landmarks (blind technique). With increasing availability of ultrasonography in food animal practice, imaging may improve site selection by maximizing liver depth and reducing the risk of sampling error or iatrogenic injury. Objective: To determine the frequency of liver visualization at anatomically defined biopsy sites and to evaluate liver depth and presence of other structures across right intercostal spaces (ICS) in mature cattle. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine lactating Holstein cows were enrolled. Ultrasonography was performed to assess the conventional blind biopsy site (10th ICS) and the adjacent spaces (caudal to 13th rib to visualization of lung cranially). At each ICS, liver presence, maximal liver depth, and presence of other viscera was recorded. Due to non-normality of the data, nonparametric analysis was used to compare liver depth among ICS 9–11 (significance set at p < 0.05). Results: The liver was identified in 100% (29/29) of cows at ICS 10 and in 90% (26/29) of cows at ICS 9 and 11. Other structures were infrequently observed (10%), including lung/diaphragm at ICS 9 and kidney at ICS 11. Risk of thoracic penetration increased cranially, occurring in 86% and 100% of cows at ICS 8 and 7, respectively. Liver depth differed significantly among ICS 9, 10, and 11 (p < 0.05), with median (range) depths of 170 (160–177) mm, 108 (100–110) mm, and 134 (107–164) mm, respectively. Discussion/Conclusions: While the blind technique reliably targets the liver at ICS 10, ultrasonography reveals significant variation in liver depth, with greatest depth at ICS 9. More cranial sites carry substantial risk of thoracic entry.
