Computed tomography angiography of a congenital extrahepatic splenocaval shunt in a foal.
Abstract: Congenital portosystemic shunts in foals are rare and only a small number of cases have been described. Detailed description of the course of the shunt is lacking in earlier reports. This is the first detailed description of a computed tomography angiography (CTA) displaying an extra-hepatic splenocaval shunt. A 1-month old colt showing increasing signs of dullness, ataxia, circling, lip-smacking and coordination problems was presented. Hyperammonemia was detected and abdominal CTA revealed an extra-hepatic portocaval shunt. During surgery, ligation of the abnormal vessel could not be achieved, and the foal was euthanized because of complications during surgery. CTA provided a detailed overview of portal vasculature. If a portosystemic shunt is suspected in a foal, CTA can be used to confirm the diagnosis and for surgical planning.
Publication Date: 2019-08-14 PubMed ID: 31412901PubMed Central: PMC6694538DOI: 10.1186/s13028-019-0474-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article explores a rare case of congenital portosystemic shunts in foals described through a Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). Specifically, it evaluates a foal with an extra-hepatic splenocaval shunt, and suggests CTA as an effective diagnostic and surgical planning tool for similar suspected cases.
Background
- Congenital portosystemic shunts refer to a medical condition in horses where the blood from the gastrointestinal tract is diverted away from the liver.
- This condition is rare in foals and has been infrequently described, particularly in terms of the detailed course of the shunt.
- This article forms the first detailed description of an extra-hepatic splenocaval shunt in a foal as visualized through a computed tomography angiography.
The Case Study
- The case study involved a 1-month old colt that showed signs of dullness, ataxia, circling, lip-smacking, and coordination problems.
- Hyperammonemia, an excess of ammonia in the blood, was detected in the foal.
- Abdominal computed tomography angiography revealed that the foal had an extra-hepatic portocaval shunt.
The Surgery and Outcome
- During the surgery, ligation (tying off) of the abnormal vessel could not be achieved, which led to complications in the surgery.
- Due to these complications, the foal was sadly euthanized.
Implication of the Research
- The Computed Tomography Angiography provided a detailed view of the foal’s portal vasculature, aiding in diagnosis.
- The study suggested that if a portosystemic shunt is suspected in a foal, CTA can be a potent tool to confirm the diagnosis and providing insights for surgical planning.
Cite This Article
APA
Willems DS, Kranenburg LC, Ensink JM, Kummeling A, Wijnberg ID, Veraa S.
(2019).
Computed tomography angiography of a congenital extrahepatic splenocaval shunt in a foal.
Acta Vet Scand, 61(1), 39.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-019-0474-0 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. d.s.willems@uu.nl.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Computed Tomography Angiography / veterinary
- Fatal Outcome
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Portal System / abnormalities
- Portal System / diagnostic imaging
- Portal System / surgery
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
This article includes 14 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Arencibia A, Corbera JA, Ramírez G, Díaz-Bertrana ML, Pitti L, Morales M, Jaber JR. Anatomical Assessment of the Thorax in the Neonatal Foal Using Computed Tomography Angiography, Sectional Anatomy, and Gross Dissections. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 17;10(6).
- Cournoyer N, Hostnik ET, Urion R. Computed Tomography Angiography Diagnosis of a Congenital Intrahepatic Central Divisional Portocaval Shunt in an Arabian Filly. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2025 Nov;66(6):e70091.
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