Effects of fasting and intraluminal contrast enhancement on ultrasonographic appearance of the equine small intestine.
Abstract: The equine small intestine is challenging to evaluate ultrasonographically. In humans, hydrosonography has been used to improve ultrasonographic images of the small intestine. We hypothesized that fasting horses for 24 h would enhance the ability to image the small intestine transabdominally by separating intestinal loops and reducing intraluminal gas, and that the administration of intragastric contrast agent would further improve that ability. Ten healthy horses were examined ultrasonographically under three treatment conditions: (a) regular diet, (b) after a 24-h fast, and (c) fasted plus intragastric administration of water and mineral oil. During each phase of the study, 30-s video clips were obtained from four predetermined abdominal windows, and were examined to determine diagnostic quality. Fasting improved the ability to obtain high-quality images of the small intestine significantly. The addition of contrast agent resulted in qualitative improvement in image quality, but differences did not result in statistically significant improvement.
Publication Date: 2010-12-17 PubMed ID: 21158238DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01719.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper examines how fasting and the use of contrast agents impact the quality of ultrasonic images of equine small intestines. It suggests that fasting improves imaging clarity while the addition of contrast agents provides a qualitative boost, although statistically insignificant.
Objective of the Research
- The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of fasting and the administration of intragastric contrast agents in improving the ultrasonographic imaging of equine small intestines. This is done in an attempt to overcome the difficulties in capturing clear and detailed images of the small intestines of horses.
Methods and Materials
- The study involves observing the effects on the diagnostic quality of ultrasonic imaging under three conditions: (a) when the horses are on regular diet, (b) when they are fasted for 24 hours, and (c) when they are fasted plus given an intragastric administration of water and mineral oil as a contrast agent.
- Ten healthy horses were selected for the study and under each of the three conditions, a short 30-second video clip was taken through four predetermined abdominal windows or sections to minimize variability.
Findings of the Research
- The results indicated that fasting significantly improved the quality of ultrasonographic images of equine small intestines. The imaging was clearer due to less intraluminal gas and better separation of the intestinal loops.
- In contrast, the administration of water and mineral oil as contrast agents resulted in qualitatively better images. However, this improvement was not statistically significant, meaning the difference in image quality with and without the contrast agent was not large enough to rule out the possibility of it being due to chance.
Importance of the Study
- These findings shed light on improving the diagnostic imaging of equine small intestines, which can have wide applications in veterinary medicine.
- In particular, it introduces the potential of using fasting as a simple and cost-effective way to enhance ultrasound clarity of equine small intestines, making it easier for veterinarians to diagnose and treat intestinal issues in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Norman T, Chaffin K, Schmitz D.
(2010).
Effects of fasting and intraluminal contrast enhancement on ultrasonographic appearance of the equine small intestine.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 51(6), 642-646.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01719.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX 77802, USA. tnorman@cvm.tamu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Contrast Media
- Fasting / physiology
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Image Enhancement
- Intestine, Small / anatomy & histology
- Intestine, Small / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Mineral Oil / administration & dosage
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Siwinska N, Zak A, Baron M, Cylna M, Borowicz H. Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses.. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186825.
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