A wireless endoscopy capsule suitable for imaging of the equine stomach and small intestine.
Abstract: Capsule endoscopy offers a new method for visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa in horses where other imaging technologies have diagnostic limitations. Objective: To (1) test the feasibility of using this novel endoscopy capsule to visualize intestinal mucosa in horses, including an objective assessment of image quality, (2) assess how changes in preadministration preparation affect the transit time and the amount of gastrointestinal mucosa visualized, and (3) describe intestinal mucosa lesions in healthy horses. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: Three protocols were used in a crossover study design. Protocols varied in time fasted, amount of oral fluid administered, and exercise. Manure was radiographically inspected for capsule recovery. Percentage of visible gastrointestinal mucosa was objectively assessed. Results: Detailed images of the gastrointestinal mucosa were recorded with all 3 protocols, including images of the pylorus, major duodenal papilla, individual villi, and ileocecal junction. Visualization of large intestinal mucosa was poor. Interobserver agreement on image quality was excellent. Capsule administration after feed withholding for 24 hours provided the greatest percentage of visible mucosa in the stomach and small intestine. Total transit time to capsule excretion was 6.5 (3-8.75) days. Of 15 capsules administered, 3 were not recovered. Lesions visualized included mucosal erosion, ulceration and hemorrhage, areas of thickened mucosa, and evidence of parasitism. Conclusions: This novel endoscopic capsule appears safe, practical, and noninvasive in horses; however, variability in capsule excretion time must be taken into account for clinical application.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2020-06-08 PubMed ID: 32511848PubMed Central: PMC7379013DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15825Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Endoscopy
- Equine Health
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Gastrointestinal Health
- Horses
- Imaging Techniques
- In Vivo
- Noninvasive Procedures
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Procedure
Summary
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The research is about testing a wireless endoscopy capsule, designed for imaging the stomach and small intestine of horses. It aims to overcome the diagnostic limitations of existing imaging technologies, and the researchers test its feasibility, assess the impact of preadministration preparation, and identify any visible lesions in the intestinal mucosa of healthy horses.
Objective and Methodology
The researchers aimed to:
- Test the feasibility of using an endoscopy capsule to visualize the intestinal mucosa of horses,
- Assess how variations in preadministration preparation affect the transit time of the capsule and the amount of gastrointestinal mucosa visualized,
- Describe any visible intestinal mucosa lesions in healthy horses.
The study was carried out on five healthy adult horses, using a crossover study design involving three protocols. The different protocols involved varying factors such as fasting time, amount of oral fluid administered, and exercise. After administering the capsules, the manure was radiographically inspected for capsule recovery, and the percentage of visible gastrointestinal mucosa was objectively assessed.
Results
Regardless of the protocol used, the endoscopy capsule was able to provide detailed images of the gastrointestinal mucosa. This included fine details such as the pylorus, major duodenal papilla, individual villi, and ileocecal junction, though visualization of the large intestinal mucosa was poor. There was excellent agreement among observers regarding the image quality.
In terms of preadministration preparation, 24-hour fasting before administering the capsule resulted in the greatest visibility of mucosa in the stomach and small intestine. The average time it took for the capsule to pass through the horse’s system and be expelled was 6.5 days, though this varied between 3 and 8.75 days. Out of 15 capsules, three were not recovered.
The capsules were also able to visualize various lesions, including mucosal erosion, ulceration and hemorrhage, areas of thickened mucosa, and evidence of parasitism.
Conclusion
The novel endoscopic capsule appears to be practical, safe, and non-invasive for use in horses. However, the researchers caution that the variability in the capsule’s transit time – the time it takes to pass through the horse’s system – needs to be considered when applying it clinically.
Cite This Article
APA
Steinmann M, Bezugley RJ, Bond SL, Pomrantz JS, Léguillette R.
(2020).
A wireless endoscopy capsule suitable for imaging of the equine stomach and small intestine.
J Vet Intern Med, 34(4), 1622-1630.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15825 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, Rocky View County, Alberta, Canada.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Infiniti Medical, LLC, Menlo Park, California, USA.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, Rocky View County, Alberta, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Capsule Endoscopy / methods
- Capsule Endoscopy / veterinary
- Cross-Over Studies
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Transit
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Intestinal Mucosa / diagnostic imaging
- Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
- Intestine, Small / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Stomach / diagnostic imaging
Grant Funding
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Services, University of Calgary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Dr J. Pomrantz was an employee of Infiniti Medical, LLC at the time the study was conducted. Dr. R. Léguillette did ad hoc consultations for Infinity Medical, LLC after the study was conducted. No other conflict of interest to declare.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Patton ME, Andrews FM, Bogers SH, Wong D, McKenzie HC 3rd, Werre SR, Byron CR. Effects of Bit Chewing on Gastric Emptying, Small Intestinal Transit, and Orocecal Transit Times in Clinically Normal Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 4;13(15).
- Hostetter JM, Uzal FA. Gastrointestinal biopsy in the horse: overview of collection, interpretation, and applications. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022 May;34(3):376-388.
- Jeong YS, Jusko WJ. Meta-Assessment of Metformin Absorption and Disposition Pharmacokinetics in Nine Species. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021 Jun 7;14(6).
- St-Jean C, Collier A, Zur Linden A, Bersenas A, Defarges A. Feasibility and complications of videocapsule endoscopy in dogs weighing 7 kg or less. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17286.
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