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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Hepatic lobe torsion in a horse.
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2009; 50(3); 283-286;

Hepatic lobe torsion in a horse.

Abstract: A 4-year-old Belgian mare was presented with a 1-week history of fever, suspected of being caused by peritonitis. The mare died before the diagnostic procedures had been completed; postmortem examination revealed torsion of the left medial lobe of the liver, resulting in diffuse necrosis of liver tissue and severe peritoneal effusion. Une jument belge de 4 ans est présentée avec une anamnèse de fièvre qui persiste depuis 1 semaine, que l’on soupçonne causée par une péritonite. La jument est morte avant l’achèvement des procédures diagnostiques; l’autopsie a révélé une torsion du lobe médial gauche du foie, ce qui a produit une nécrose diffuse des tissus hépatiques et une effusion péritonéale grave. (Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)
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Publication Date: 2009-05-14 PubMed ID: 19436480PubMed Central: PMC2643453
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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.

The research presents a case of a young horse that died from a severe liver condition, discovered posthumously to be torsion or twisting of a lobe of its liver, leading to widespread tissue death and severe fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity.

Background and Presentation

  • The horses’ case revolves around a 4-year-old Belgian mare that had been suffering from a week-long fever.
  • The mare was suspected to have peritonitis, an inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal wall and covering the abdominal organs, typically due to a bacterial or fungal infection.
  • Unfortunately, the mare did not survive long enough for the complete diagnostic procedures to be performed.

Postmortem Examination

  • After the mare’s demise, a postmortem examination was carried out to determine the cause of illness and subsequent death.
  • The examination revealed a liver condition where the left medial lobe of the mare’s liver had undergone torsion or twisting.
  • This twisting of the liver lobe resulted in diffuse necrosis, which is the widespread death of liver tissues.

Implications and Consequences

  • Due to the necrosis of liver tissue, the horse developed a severe peritoneal effusion – an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
  • Peritoneal effusion is a serious condition as it can cause discomfort, pain, and difficulty breathing; it can also impede the function of the abdominal organs.
  • In this particular case, the severe peritoneal effusion, along with the widespread necrosis of the liver, likely contributed to the horse’s unfortunate death.

Cite This Article

APA
Bentz KJ, Burgess BA, Lohmann KL, Shahriar F. (2009). Hepatic lobe torsion in a horse. Can Vet J, 50(3), 283-286.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 3
Pages: 283-286

Researcher Affiliations

Bentz, Kristin J
  • Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA.
Burgess, Brandy A
    Lohmann, Katharina L
      Shahriar, Farshid

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Ascitic Fluid
        • Fatal Outcome
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Liver Diseases / pathology
        • Liver Diseases / veterinary
        • Torsion Abnormality / pathology
        • Torsion Abnormality / veterinary

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        This article includes 18 references
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        Citations

        This article has been cited 2 times.
        1. Ibrahim A, El-Ghareeb WR, Aljazzar A, Al-Hizab FA, Porter BF. Hepatic lobe torsion in 3 dromedary camels. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Jan;33(1):136-139.
          doi: 10.1177/1040638720971813pubmed: 33225867google scholar: lookup
        2. Wilson C, Philp SJ, Hughes K. Torsion of the caudate lobe of the liver and concurrent necrohemorrhagic typhlocolitis in a zoo-housed Patagonian mara. J Vet Diagn Invest 2024 Jul;36(4):560-563.
          doi: 10.1177/10406387241248594pubmed: 38702955google scholar: lookup
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