Clinical, ultrasonographic, and histopathologic findings in seven horses with Descemet’s membrane detachment: A case series.
Abstract: To describe ultrasonography as a diagnostic method of in vivo Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) in horses. Methods: Seven horses (three Icelandic horses, two Dutch Warmblood horses, one Appaloosa, and one Welsh Pony), presenting with moderate-to-severe focal or diffuse corneal edema, in whom DMD was suspected on ultrasonographic examination and confirmed with histopathology, were studied. Methods: A retrospective analysis of case records of horses with suspected DMD was performed. Results: Median age at presentation was 14 years (range 11-24). Clinical signs in eyes with DMD were unilateral in all horses and included blepharospasm and epiphora (6/7), buphthalmos (5/7), moderate-to-severe focal or diffuse corneal edema (7/7), corneal epithelial bullae (4/7), corneal neovascularization (4/7), Haab's striae (2/7), corneal endothelial precipitates (1/7), fibrin in the anterior chamber (1/7), focal cataract (2/7), and pigment deposits on the anterior lens capsule (1/7). During transpalpebral ultrasonography, a distinct linear echogenic structure was noted in the anterior chamber, initially diverging from, and later running parallel to, the posterior lining of the cornea in all eyes studied. In all cases, the cornea was severely thickened and echogenic, consistent with edema, and DMD was suspected. In all horses, the clinical signs progressed and the affected eye was eventually enucleated. Histopathology revealed DMD (7/7), spindle cell proliferation (4/7), Descemet's membrane reformation (3/7), and inflammation of the anterior uvea (5/7). Overall incidence was 1.04%. Conclusions: Ultrasonography is an adequate tool in diagnosing DMD in horses. Descemet's membrane detachment should be included in the differential diagnosis in horses with dense focal or diffuse corneal edema.
© 2019 The Authors. Veterinary Ophthalmology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2019-09-22 PubMed ID: 31544302PubMed Central: PMC7003845DOI: 10.1111/vop.12710Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article focuses on using ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for detecting Descemet’s Membrane Detachment (DMD) in horses. The study uses case records of seven horses, verifies DMD through ultrasonography and confirms it via histopathology.
Objectives and Methods
- The primary objective of the study was to establish ultrasonography as a reliable tool for diagnosing Descemet’s Membrane Detachment (DMD) in horses.
- The research was based on retrospectively analyzing case records of seven horses where DMD was suspected.
- The chosen subjects were horses experiencing moderate-to-severe corneal edema, with breeds ranging from Icelandic horses, Dutch Warmblood horses, an Appaloosa, and a Welsh Pony.
- Each potential case of DMD was first identified using ultrasonography, then confirmed with histopathology for validation.
Results
- The median age of the horses at the time they presented with symptoms was 14 years.
- All horses showed unilateral clinical signs such as blepharospasm and epiphora, buphthalmos, significant focal or diffuse corneal edema, among others.
- During the ultrasonography, a distinct linear echogenic structure was observed. The posterior lining of the cornea displayed this structure, initially diverging from and later running parallel to it in all the eyes examined.
- Corneal thickening and echogenicity consistent with edema was observed, leading to the suspicion of DMD in all seven horses.
- Despite the diagnoses, the clinical signs progressed and the affected eye had to be removed in each subject.
- Post-removal, histopathology revealed DMD, spindle cell proliferation, Descemet’s membrane reformation, and anterior uvea inflammation, among other conditions.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that ultrasonography is a reliable technique for diagnosing Descemet’s Membrane Detachment in horses.
- Furthermore, the study suggests DMD should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses presenting with dense focal or diffuse corneal edema, given the common occurrence of this condition in such cases.
Cite This Article
APA
Slenter IJM, Hermans H, Ensink JM, Willems DS, Veraa S, Grinwis GCM, Boevé MH.
(2019).
Clinical, ultrasonographic, and histopathologic findings in seven horses with Descemet’s membrane detachment: A case series.
Vet Ophthalmol, 23(1), 181-189.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12710 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Ophthalmology Section, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine Sciences, Surgery Section, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine Sciences, Surgery Section, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Diagnostic Imaging, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Diagnostic Imaging, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Ophthalmology Section, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Corneal Edema / diagnostic imaging
- Corneal Edema / pathology
- Corneal Edema / veterinary
- Descemet Membrane / diagnostic imaging
- Descemet Membrane / pathology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
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