Trioditis

Trioditis is a seldom-used term in medical literature that describes an inflammatory process affecting three related organs or regions within the same anatomical area. In contemporary veterinary practice, the condition is more commonly referred to as triaditis, particularly when describing cats with concurrent inflammation of the liver (cholangitis or hepatitis), the pancreas (pancreatitis), and the small intestine (inflammatory bowel disease). The term triaditis emphasizes the interconnected nature of these organ systems, whereas trioditis is largely considered an historical or less common synonym.

Pathophysiology and presentation are linked to the close anatomical and functional relationship among the hepatobiliary system, pancreas, and intestinal tract. Dogs and cats with triaditis may present with nonspecific symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes jaundice. Because pancreatic inflammation can be difficult to visualize radiographically, and liver and intestinal involvement may vary, the diagnosis often relies on a combination of laboratory findings, imaging, and, in some cases, tissue biopsy.

Diagnosis typically includes blood work showing inflammatory and cholestatic patterns, elevated pancreatic enzymes in some cases, and imaging studies such as ultrasound that may reveal hepatobiliary or pancreatic abnormalities and intestinal changes. Confirmatory diagnosis may require endoscopy or exploratory procedures to obtain biopsies from affected tissues.

Treatment is usually multimodal, addressing all three components: supportive care, dietary modification (often low-fat, highly digestible diets), anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapy as indicated, and management of pancreatitis and cholangitis. The prognosis varies with severity and response to treatment, but early recognition of the triaditis syndrome can improve outcomes.