Ultrasonographic findings in horses with cholelithiasis: eight cases (1985-1987).

The research article discusses a study on ultrasonographic findings in eight horses diagnosed with cholelithiasis and/or obstructive biliary tract disease. The study showed ultrasound accurately depicted the histologic changes in the liver parenchyma of these horses.

Diagnosis of Cholelithiasis in Horses

• Cholelithiasis, otherwise known as gallstones, and obstructive biliary tract disease were diagnosed in horses between 5 to 15 years. This diagnosis was facilitated through ultrasound imaging.
• The study was conducted on eight horses, and ultrasonographic findings provided insights into changes in the liver, bile ducts, and presence of gallstones.

Ultrasound findings

• One of the significant ultrasound findings was the unusually high amount of hepatic parenchyma, which is the functional tissue in the liver found on the right side of the abdomen in all eight horses and on the left side in three.
• Increased echoic levels were detected in the liver, indicating possible tissue abnormality or disease. Moreover, in every horse examined, enlarged and thickened bile ducts were observable, signaling potential obstruction in the biliary tract.
• Ultrasonography also revealed the presence of gallstones in six of the studied horses.

Postmortem Examinations

• Postmortem examinations were carried out on six horses, which corroborated the ultrasonographic observations.
• The findings included periportal (around the portal vein) and intralobular (inside the liver lobule) fibrosis, which signifies liver scarring; moderate bile duct dilatation and proliferation; and cholestasis, defined as reduced or blocked bile flow.
• Gallstones were discovered in every examined horse, further validating the initial ultrasound diagnoses.

Conclusion of the Study

• The study concluded that ultrasonographic findings were effective in accurately portraying histologic changes in the hepatic parenchyma of horses with cholelithiasis.
• This suggests that ultrasound can be a reliable non-invasive diagnostic tool in the detection and management of gallstones and other associated liver and bile duct conditions in horses.