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Jejunal Perforation Associated With a Horseshoe-Shaped Abdominal Contusion After a Horse Kick: A Case Report.
Abstract: A horseshoe-shaped abdominal contusion after a horse kick may indicate the site of underlying bowel injury. When accompanied by persistent abdominal pain or peritoneal signs, hollow viscus injury should be considered. Contrast-enhanced CT can identify free air and focal bowel abnormalities at the impact site, facilitating timely surgical management.
© 2026 The Author(s). Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2026-10-02 PubMed ID: 42829548PubMed Central: PMC13633409DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.73687Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Jejunal perforation can result from a horseshoe-shaped abdominal contusion caused by a horse kick, and such a pattern on the abdomen helps indicate the location of bowel injury. Timely diagnosis using contrast-enhanced CT scanning is crucial for surgical intervention.
Overview of the Case Report
- The article discusses a specific case where a patient sustained a jejunal perforation due to a horse kick.
- A horseshoe-shaped contusion appeared on the abdomen, which corresponded to the area of internal injury.
- The case highlights the importance of correlating external injury patterns with possible internal damage.
Significance of Horseshoe-Shaped Abdominal Contusion
- The horseshoe shape of the contusion is significant because it might reflect the contour of the horse’s hoof or shoe.
- This distinct injury pattern serves as a visual clue for clinicians to suspect underlying hollow organ injury, particularly in the small intestine.
- Such well-defined bruising can guide early focused diagnostic efforts.
Diagnostic Considerations
- Persistent abdominal pain or presence of peritoneal signs—such as tenderness, guarding, or rigidity—should raise suspicion for intra-abdominal hollow viscus injury in the setting of blunt trauma.
- Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is recommended to evaluate the extent of injury.
- CT features to look for include:
- Free air within the peritoneal cavity, indicating bowel perforation.
- Focal bowel wall abnormalities at the site correlating with the external contusion.
Clinical Management and Outcome
- Recognition of this injury pattern combined with imaging findings facilitates prompt surgical intervention.
- Early surgery is critical to manage jejunal perforation and prevent complications such as peritonitis and sepsis.
- The case report emphasizes awareness among clinicians regarding the diagnostic value of the horseshoe-shaped contusion in blunt abdominal trauma from horse kicks.
Broader Implications
- The case acts as a teaching example to improve trauma assessment protocols and encourage thorough clinical examination of external signs.
- Highlights the utility of advanced imaging techniques in suspected blunt abdominal injuries for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Reinforces the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between emergency medicine, radiology, and surgery in trauma cases.
Cite This Article
APA
Yoshida J, Hanaki T, Sakano Y, Fujiwara Y.
(2026).
Jejunal Perforation Associated With a Horseshoe-Shaped Abdominal Contusion After a Horse Kick: A Case Report.
Clin Case Rep, 14(10), e73687.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.73687 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery Tottori University Faculty of Medicine Yonago Japan.
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery Tottori University Faculty of Medicine Yonago Japan.
- Division of Medical Education, Department of Medical Education Tottori University Faculty of Medicine Yonago Japan.
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery Tottori University Faculty of Medicine Yonago Japan.
- Department of Surgery Tottori Red Cross Hospital Tottori Japan.
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery Tottori University Faculty of Medicine Yonago Japan.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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