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BMC veterinary research2015; 11; 309; doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0623-2

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia with concurrent aplasia of the pericardium in a foal.

Abstract: In veterinary medicine congenital abnormalities of the diaphragm and pericardium are rare, idiopathic malformations, being reported mainly in dogs. This report documents an unusual case of developmental defects in a foal consisting of diaphragmatic hernia concurrent with pericardial aplasia. Methods: Following a normal delivery, a full term, female Friesian stillborn foal with the placenta was presented for necropsy. External morphological examination indicated a normally developed foal. At necropsy, a large oval defect (approximately 20 × 15 cm in size) was observed in the left-dorsal side of the diaphragm (left lumbocostal triangle). This defect allowed the intestinal loops, spleen and partially the liver to translocate into the thorax. The loops of the left ascending colon, including the pelvic flexure and partially the small intestine covered the cranial and dorsal posterior parts of the heart due to the complete absence of the left pericardium. The remaining pericardium presented as a white, semi-transparent strip, partially covering the right side of the heart. The left lung and the main bronchus were severely hypoplastic to approximately one-fifth the size of their right homologue. The intermediate part of the liver, containing mainly the enlarged quadrate lobe was translocated in the thorax, severely enlarged and showed marked fibrosis. Histologically in the herniated lobes we diagnosed hepatic chronic passive congestion, telangiectasia and medial hypertrophy of blood vessels. Conclusions: Concomitant malformation involving diaphragmatic hernia and pericardial aplasia in horses have not been previously reported. Moreover, this is the first case describing pericardial aplasia in horse.
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Publication Date: 2015-12-30 PubMed ID: 26715552PubMed Central: PMC4696192DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0623-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on a peculiar case of a stillborn foal having a diaphragmatic hernia (defect in the muscle separating chest and abdomen) along with the absence of pericardium (membrane enclosing the heart). These malformations are rare and usually seen in dogs; however, this study brings forth the first reported occurrence in horses.

Research Context and Methodology

  • The occurrence of congenital abnormalities such as diaphragmatic hernia and pericardial aplasia is rare in animals. This case, however, concerns both defects occurring simultaneously in a female Friesian foal.
  • The foal was examined through necropsy, an autopsy performed on animals to understand the cause of a disease or death.

Findings of the Necropsy

  • The physical examination disclosed an overall normal body formation. However, the necropsy revealed a large defect in the diaphragm, allowing organs including the intestine and spleen to shift into the chest cavity.
  • Due to complete absence of the left pericardium, parts of the colon and small intestine were found draped over sections of the heart.
  • The remaining pericardium on the right side was observed as a semi-transparent strip partly covering the heart.
  • There was severe underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the left lung and main bronchus, also part of the liver was found in the chest, enlarged and fibrotic.

Microscopic Examination Findings

  • At the microscopic level, certain conditions including chronic passive congestion (accumulation of blood due to poor outflow), telangiectasia (abnormal dilation of blood vessels or capillaries), and blood vessel thickening were diagnosed in the herniated liver lobes.

Significance and Conclusions

  • This study reports the first known occurrence of the dual malformation involving diaphragmatic hernia and pericardial aplasia in horses.
  • Furthermore, the research documents the first case of pericardial aplasia (underdevelopment of the pericardium) being observed in a horse.

Cite This Article

APA
Tăbăran AF, Nagy AL, Cătoi C, Morar I, Tăbăran A, Mihaiu M, Bolfa P. (2015). Congenital diaphragmatic hernia with concurrent aplasia of the pericardium in a foal. BMC Vet Res, 11, 309. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0623-2

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 309

Researcher Affiliations

Tăbăran, Alexandru-Flaviu
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
Nagy, Andras Laszlo
  • Department of Veterinary Toxicology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
Cătoi, Cornel
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
Morar, Iancu
  • Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Veterinary Gynecology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
Tăbăran, Alexandra
  • Department of Animal Production and Food Safety, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
Mihaiu, Marian
  • Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Veterinary Gynecology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
Bolfa, Pompei
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania. pompeibolfa@gmail.com.
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. pompeibolfa@gmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / pathology
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / congenital
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Pericardium / abnormalities
  • Stillbirth

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Shao B, Liu Y, Tai T, Liu Z, Han T, Yang Y, Fei S, Wang S, Wang H, Chen T, Shi G. Case report: Diagnosis and surgical treatment of delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with hepatothorax and enterothorax in a small dog. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1357626.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1357626pubmed: 38948669google scholar: lookup
  2. Lanci A, Ingallinesi M, Morini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J. Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Hydramnios in a Quarter Horse Mare. Vet Sci 2021 Sep 22;8(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci8100201pubmed: 34679031google scholar: lookup
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