Ultrasonographic visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature as an indicator of large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° volvulus (or both) in horses.
Abstract: Visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature during transabdominal ultrasonographic examination of horses with colic can be a predictor of right dorsal displacement of the large colon or 180° large colon volvulus, or both. Medical records of 82 horses having had surgical treatment of colic and having received a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination on admission were reviewed. Colonic mesenteric vessels were sonographically identified coursing laterally on the right side of the abdomen in 24 of the 82 cases. Horses with colonic vessels identified on ultrasound were 32.5 times more likely to be diagnosed at surgery with either large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° large colon volvulus than those in which vessels were not seen (P < 0.001). Visualization of colonic mesenteric vessels on ultrasound provided a sensitivity of 67.7%, specificity of 97.9%, positive predictive value of 95.8%, and negative predictive value of 81% for large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° large colon volvulus, or both. Visualisation échographique du système vasculaire mésentérique du côlon comme indicateur du déplacement dorsal droit du grand côlon ou d’un volvulus de 180° (ou les deux) chez les chevaux. La visualisation du système vasculaire mésentérique du côlon durant l’examen transabdominal par échographie des chevaux souffrant de coliques peut être une variable descriptive du déplacement dorsal droit du grand côlon ou d’un volvulus de 180° du grand côlon ou les deux. Les dossiers médicaux de 82 chevaux ayant subi un traitement chirurgical pour des coliques et ayant été soumis à un examen transabdominal par échographie à l’admission ont été examinés. Les vaisseaux mésentériques du côlon ont été identifiés par échographie comme circulant latéralement du côté droit de l’abdomen dans 24 des 82 cas. Il était 32,5 fois plus probable que les chevaux avec des vaisseaux du côlon identifiés sur l’échographie soient diagnostiqués à la chirurgie soit avec un déplacement dorsal droit du grand côlon ou un volvulus de 180° du grand côlon que ceux dont les vaisseaux n’étaient pas visibles (P < 0,001). La visualisation des vaisseaux mésentériques du côlon à l’échographie a fourni une sensibilité de 67,7 %, une spécificité de 97,9 %, une valeur prédictive positive de 95,8 % et une valeur prédictive négative de 81 % pour le déplacement dorsal droit du grand côlon ou d’un volvulus de 180° du grand côlon ou les deux. (Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)
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The research focuses on how transabdominal ultrasonographic examination can predict right dorsal displacement of the large colon or 180° large colon volvulus in horses with colic. The study indicates that horses showing colonic mesenteric vessels on ultrasound were 32.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with the mentioned conditions.
Research Methodology
The study evaluated medical records of 82 horses that had undergone surgery for colic and received a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination on admission.
Out of these horses, colonic mesenteric vessels were sonographically identified coursing laterally on the right side of the abdomen in 24 cases.
Findings
The study found that horses where the colonic vessels were identified on ultrasound were 32.5 times more likely to be diagnosed at surgery with either large colon right dorsal displacement or a 180° large colon volvulus than those where the vessels were not seen.
This provided a high level of certainty, or specificity, of 97.9%, implying that the test is very likely to give a negative result if the horse is healthy (does not have either of the conditions).
The sensitivity tests, which measure how often the test correctly generates a positive result for horses who have these conditions, was 67.7%.
The positive predictive value (how probable it is that horses that test positive do actually have one or both conditions) was 95.8% with a negative predictive value (how probable it is that horses that test negative are actually free from these conditions) of 81%.
The use of ultrasound therefore can be a reliable indicator of large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° large colon volvulus in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Ness SL, Bain FT, Zantingh AJ, Gaughan EM, Story MR, Nydam DV, Divers TJ.
(2012).
Ultrasonographic visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature as an indicator of large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° volvulus (or both) in horses.
Can Vet J, 53(4), 378-382.
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