Single Case of a Cat Suspected of Having Congenital Biliary Dilatation Associated with Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction

A 1 yr old spayed female Scottish fold cat was referred for further investigation because of loss of appetite and markedly elevated liver enzyme activities. Significant biliary dilatation and positive bile culture were documented, raising suspicion for cholangitis. A strictured/stenotic duodenal papilla was noted on laparotomy, with retrograde cholangiopancreatography documenting the main pancreatic duct joined with the common bile duct outside the duodenal wall. In addition, pancreatic enzyme activity in the bile was high, suggesting that pancreatic juice was flowing back into the biliary tract. These findings are similar to those of pancreaticobiliary maljunction observed in humans. Duodenal papillotomy improved the excretion of bile and pancreatic juice, resolving both the bile duct dilatation and elevated liver enzyme activities. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the association of pancreaticobiliary maljunction with the development of cholangitis associated with biliary dilatation in cats. In clinical practice, when cholangitis with severe biliary dilatation is observed in a young cat, the association with pancreaticobiliary maljunction should be considered.