Prenatal Diagnosis of Megacystitis and Hydronephrosis in an Equine Fetus: How Transabdominal Ultrasonography Can Help to Diagnose Fetal Abnormalities.

The research article discusses the case of a pregnant mare that experienced premature udder development and was found to have a fetus with severe hydronephrosis and megacystitis. This is the first reported instance of such a prenatal diagnosis in equine veterinary medicine, with the discovery made using transabdominal ultrasound.

Case Background and Examination

• The case in point is that of a 4-year-old French chaser mare in her ninth month of pregnancy, showing signs of premature udder development. This is typically a warning sign in pregnant mares.
• Upon examination, while the mare displayed normal clinical signs and no vulvar discharge, it had a sensitively developed udder with secretions. Transrectal examination revealed an immobile fetus and normal uteroplacental thickness.

Ultrasonic Findings and Diagnoses

• With the aid of transabdominal ultrasound, the researchers found a live fetus in posterior presentation with several abdominal abnormalities. These included unilateral hydronephrosis and megacystitis, leading to a provisional diagnosis of multiple urinary tract malformations with outflow obstruction.
• Megacystitis and hydronephrosis are conditions marked by severe bladder enlargement and dilation of the kidney due to a buildup of urine, respectively.
• This observed prenatal diagnosis of hydronephrosis and megacystitis is unique in the field of equine veterinary medicine.

Subsequent Developments and Postmortem Findings

• The treatment was stopped and the mare’s health was monitored. A week later, the mare spontaneously aborted the fetus.
• A postmortem examination revealed an abnormally large, ruptured bladder and a extremely dilated left kidney void of parenchyma and filled with urine, along with lack of permeability in the left ureter and urethra.
• The postmortem findings corroborated the prenatal diagnosis which had been obtained by ultrasound.

Significance of the Case

• As this case is the first of its kind in equine veterinary medicine, further research is suggested to properly characterize these malformations.
• The researchers underline the importance of using transabdominal ultrasonography in detecting fetal abnormalities in horses. This method was able to offer accurate prenatal diagnostics in this case, pointing out problems which ultimately manifested themselves postmortem.