Lama biliar em cães: avaliação ultrassonográfica e correlação da fosfatase alcalina sérica como marcador de estase biliar

Abstract

Biliary sludge is a frequent ultrasonographic finding in dogs, characterized by the accumulation of intraluminal echogenic sediment within the gallbladder, and closely linked to biliary stasis, impaired gallbladder motility, and hepatobiliary disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of biliary sludge in dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás (PUC Goiás) and to correlate these ultrasonographic findings with serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. A retrospective analysis was performed on 107 ultrasonographic reports from September 2024 to November 2025. After applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria based on concomitant laboratory availability, a definitive cohort of 48 eligible animals was selected, with 21 (43.75%) testing positive for biliary sludge. The condition was predominantly found in elderly and female patients, with grade II being the most prevalent classification. Regarding biochemical evaluation, dogs with biliary sludge paradoxically showed lower mean serum ALP levels than those without ultrasonographic sediment, demonstrating the lack of a direct, consistent association between the presence of sludge and increased enzymatic activity. These findings reinforce the pivotal role of abdominal ultrasonography in the early screening of hepatobiliary changes, emphasizing that proper clinical management relies on the combined interpretation of imaging, laboratory profiles, and patient symptomatology.