Transcutaneous ultrasonographic evaluation of gastric distension with fluid in horses.
Abstract: To develop a transcutaneous ultrasonography (TUS) method for measuring the location of the stomach during various levels of fluid distension and evaluate any correlation between gastric fluid distension and stomach position. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: Known volumes of water were administered in 2 trials. In trial 1, the stomach was evaluated prior to and after the administration of 2, 4, and 6 L of water. In trial 2, the stomach was evaluated after administration of 6, 8, 10, and 12 L of water. The TUS was performed at the 7th through 16th left intercostal spaces (ICSs). For each volume of water, an image was captured at the most dorsal point in each ICS where the dorsolateral aspect of the stomach wall was viewed. The distance between this point and a horizontal line drawn on the skin at the level of the elbow joint was measured. The measurements at all ICSs were used to estimate the gastric wall height at ICS 12, which was subsequently evaluated for statistical association with volume administered. Results: Significant correlation between the estimated height of the stomach wall at ICS 12 and the volume of fluid administered was detected. A regression equation to estimate gastric fluid volume when initial values for gastric wall height (cm) at ICS 12 and fluid volume (L) are known was developed. Conclusions: Results suggested that use of TUS for gastric fluid volume estimation is a potentially useful technique.
Publication Date: 2007-02-03 PubMed ID: 17269880DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.68.2.153Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article describes how a method using transcutaneous ultrasonography can be used to estimate the volume of fluid in a horse’s stomach, by measuring the location of the stomach at different levels of fluid distension.
Research Method
- The researchers used six adult horses for their experiment.
- The study was conducted in two trials, where varying volumes of water were administered to the horses. In the first trial, the stomach was evaluated before and after receiving 2, 4, and 6 liters of water. In the second trial, the stomach was evaluated after being given 6, 8, 10, and 12 liters of water.
- Transcutaneous ultrasonography (TUS) was performed at the 7th through the 16th left intercostal spaces (ICSs). These are the spaces between the ribs on the left side of the horse.
- For each volume of water, an ultrasonic image was obtained at the most dorsal point where the dorsolateral stomach wall could be seen in each ICS. The dorsolateral aspect pertains to both the dorsal or back side and lateral or side part of the stomach wall.
- The distance from this point to a horizontal line drawn on the horse’s skin at the level of the elbow joint was measured. This measurement was used to estimate the height of the gastric wall.
Results
- The researchers found a significant correlation between the estimated height of the stomach wall (at ICS 12) and the amount of fluid administered to the horse.
- A regression equation was developed to estimate the gastric fluid volume, provided the initial values for the gastric wall height at ICS 12 and the fluid volume are known.
Conclusion
- The results suggest that transcutaneous ultrasonography could be used as a potential technique for estimating the volume of gastric fluid in a horse’s stomach.
- This study presents a promising approach to understanding the correlation between gastric fluid distension and the position of a horse’s stomach, and may prove useful in veterinary diagnostics or procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Lores M, Stryhn H, McD￮ L, Rose P, Muirhead T.
(2007).
Transcutaneous ultrasonographic evaluation of gastric distension with fluid in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 68(2), 153-157.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.68.2.153 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Gastric Dilatation / diagnostic imaging
- Gastric Dilatation / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Male
- Stomach / anatomy & histology
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
- Water / administration & dosage
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Epstein KL, Hall MD. Effect of Nasogastric Tube Placement, Manipulation, and Fluid Administration on Transcutaneous Ultrasound Visualization and Assessment of Stomach Position in Healthy Unfed and Fed Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 6;12(23).
- Raidal SL, Freccero F, Carstens A, Weaver S, Padalino B. Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1647236.
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