Clinical features and outcome in horses with severe large intestinal thickening diagnosed with transabdominal ultrasonography: 25 cases (2003-2010).
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To describe clinical features and outcome of horses with severe large intestinal thickening diagnosed with transabdominal ultrasonography. Methods: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 25 horses. PROCEDURES Medical records of horses that underwent transabdominal ultrasonography between 2003 and 2010 were reviewed. Horses were included if the wall of the large intestine was ≥ 9 mm thick in any of 6 abdominal zones. RESULTS Median age was 13 years (range, 3 to 28 years). Horses were initially examined because of colic, diarrhea, inappetence, weight loss, lethargy, fever, or hematuria. Severe large intestinal thickening (range, 9 to 46.6 mm; mean ± SD, 18.8 ± 6.8 mm) was the primary ultrasonographic finding in all horses. Thickened large intestine was more likely to be detected in ventral versus upper (ie, combined paralumbar and intercostal) abdominal zones and in right versus left zones. Eleven horses survived and had resolution of clinical signs, including the l horse treated surgically for colon torsion. An additional horse survived but continued to have intermittent colic. Ten horses were euthanized or died, including 3 horses with neoplasia and 3 with colitis. Three horses were lost to follow-up, including 1 horse with a cecal mass and 1 with hepatosplenic lymphoma. Severity of thickening and number of zones affected were not significantly different between survivors and nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that in horses undergoing transabdominal ultrasonography, large intestinal wall thickness ≥ 9 mm may be detected in patients with a variety of conditions. Ultrasonographic examination of all abdominal zones was helpful to determine the extent of thickening and identify additional findings that helped prioritize differential diagnoses.
Publication Date: 2018-06-19 PubMed ID: 29911939DOI: 10.2460/javma.253.1.108Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores clinical features and outcomes in horses diagnosed with severe large intestinal thickening through transabdominal ultrasonography between 2003 and 2010, noting that wall thickness of over 9mm may be detected in horses with various conditions.
Research Methodology
- The report relied on a retrospective case series, studying 25 horses that underwent transabdominal ultrasonography in the period between 2003 and 2010.
- The medical records of these horses were reviewed and included in the study if the wall of their large intestine was 9mm thick or more in any of the six abdominal zones.
Findings
- Age of the horses ranged from 3 to 28 years with the median age being 13 years.
- Initial examinations were carried out due to varied reasons like colic, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, fever, or hematuria.
- The primary ultrasonographic finding in all horses was severe intestinal thickening, ranging between 9 to 46.6 mm with an average of 18.8 ± 6.8 mm.
- The study also noted the thickening was more likely detected in the ventral vs the upper abdominal zones and in right vs left zones.
Outcome and Survival
- Out of the 25 horses, 11 survived and showed resolution of their clinical signs, including one horse which was treated surgically for colon torsion. In addition, one horse survived but continued to have intermittent colic.
- There were 10 cases where the horses were euthanized or died, including 3 with neoplasia and 3 with colitis. Three horses were lost to follow-up.
- There was no significant difference in the severity of thickening and number of zones affected between survivors and nonsurvivors.
Clinical Relevance and Conclusions
- The results suggest that horses undergoing transabdominal ultrasonography can have a detection of large intestinal wall thickness of more than 9mm with varied conditions.
- Carrying out an ultrasonographic examination of all abdominal zones is beneficial in assessing the extent of thickening and identifying additional findings. This could be of aid in prioritizing differential diagnoses.
Cite This Article
APA
Biscoe EW, Whitcomb MB, Vaughan B, Dechant JE, Magdesian KG.
(2018).
Clinical features and outcome in horses with severe large intestinal thickening diagnosed with transabdominal ultrasonography: 25 cases (2003-2010).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 253(1), 108-116.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.253.1.108 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / diagnostic imaging
- Colic / veterinary
- Colonic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Colonic Diseases / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Intestine, Large / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Records / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
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