The clinicopathological abnonnalities that accompany hepatic disease reflect deficiencies in the normal varied functions of the liver. Laboratory assessment of hepatobiliary disease is especially important since the clinical signs associated with hepatic disorders are often nonspecific. The liver's tremendous reserve capacity, its unique ability to undergo regeneration, and its sensitivity to secondary injury, however complicate the interpretation of hepatic clinicopathology. Laboratory evaluationof hepatobiliary function is performed to determine if an animal has hepatobiliary disease. The value of any laboratory test in determining the presence of hepatobiliary disease is measured by the test's sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity is a measure of a test's ability to detect animals with hepatobiliary disease, while specificity is a test's ability to exclude individuals without hepatobiliary disease. Screening tests (such as clinical enzymology) should have high sensitivity so dial few animals with hepatobiliary disease escape detection and a reasonably high specificity so that much time and expense is not spent on chasing false positive tests. Diagnostic tests (such as hepatic function tests) are used to confirm disease in animals that arealready suspected of having hepatobiliary disease. These tests should have high specificity. Clinicopathologic evaluation of the hepatobiliary function can also be used to assess disease severity, establish a prognosis, define potential complications and monitor disease progression.
展开▼
