Liver Rupture

• common result of trauma
• often clinically occult (small capsular ruptures may clot and heal) unless larger, severe ruptures cause rapid exsanguination or the biliary tract is involved
• rupture of major bile ducts leads to yellow-stained bile peritonitis
  • may remain sterile and become chronic
  • may be infected by enterohepatic circulation of bacteria such as clostridia followed by rapid death

NB: fatal ruptures can occur in foals during parturition, sometimes concurrent with costal fractures

• predisposition to rupture
  • diffuse hepatic disease causes enlargement and friability of the liver
  • may occur spontaneously
• predisposing lesions include:

1. infectious canine hepatitis

2. amyloidosis

3. severe congestion

4. fatty degeneration

5. secondary neoplasms