Transcutaneous ultrasonographic evaluation of the air-filled equine stomach and duodenum following gastroscopy.

The study carries out ultrasonic evaluation of the stomach and duodenum in ponies, post gastroscopy with air insufflation. It evaluates the impact of stomach distension due to air or feed on stomach measurements and the visibility of gastric diseases.

Methodology

• The study involved 10 ponies, on which gastroscopy procedures were performed after air insufflation.
• Post this procedure, transcutaneous ultrasonography was performed on the animals’ stomach and duodenum.
• These ultrasound examinations were carried out immediately after gastroscopy and then again after 1, 2, and 4 hours. An additional round of ultrasound was done 24 hours after feeding.

Measurements

• In the ultrasound process, they took several stomach measurements like the dorsoventral and craniocaudal dimensions, stomach depth from the skin surface, and stomach wall thickness.
• These measurements were taken and compared at the different time periods mentioned above.

Observations

• While investigating the effects post gastroscopy, gastric wall folding was noticed in one pony, most pronounced 2-4 hours after the procedure.
• An undulating stomach wall was observed in eight other ponies post the gastroscopy.
• The researchers suggest that these observations might indicate a response to the stomach’s deflation as the insufflated air gradually released.
• Traces of gas were found in the duodenum after the gastroscopy.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that the parameters measured can be useful to evaluate the extent of stomach distension caused by air or food intake.
• It was noted that the ultrasonographic appearance of the stomach can be influenced by gastroscopy, a factor to bear in mind when examining horses with suspected gastric diseases.