Use of transrectal ultrasonography to aid diagnosis of small colon strangulation in two horses.

The study elaborates on the use of transrectal ultrasonography as a means to diagnose strangulation of the small colon in horses effectively. Two cases of successfully diagnosed small colon strangulation are detailed in the study.

Strangulation of the Small Colon in Horses

• Diagnosis of small colon strangulation in horses can be challenging due to late presentation of intestinal signs.
• Early identification is crucial as it allows for immediate surgical intervention, enhancing survival probability.
• Changes in parameters such as luminal diameter, motility, and intestinal wall thickness, visualized through ultrasonography, serve in diagnosing intestinal strangulations.

Case Studies

• The first case was of a 12-year-old Welsh cob gelding presented with a history of abdominal pain.
• In the first case, although clinical findings were initially unremarkable, transrectal ultrasonography performed later identified a distended small colon and significantly thickened colon wall.
• A strangulated lipoma affecting 1 meter of the middle portion of the colt’s small colon was identified during exploratory coeliotomy.
• This area of the intestine was necrotic and discolored with edematous and haemorrhagic mesentery and thrombosed vessels.
• Surgery was performed to remove the lipoma along with the affected intestine followed by end-to-end anastomosis of the small colon.
• The colt made an uneventful recovery post-surgery and fully recovered to join back work within 10 days.
• The second case involved a 20-year-old Arab cross pony gelding that had presented with a history of acute onset abdominal pain.
• In this case, an 8-cm diameter strangulating lipoma was found affecting a 0.6 m section of the small colon during exploratory coeliotomy.
• Post-surgery, the gelding exhibited reduced defecation for the first three days, which was successfully managed with oral fluids and laxatives.

Conclusion

• Transrectal ultrasonography proves to be an effective diagnostic tool to identify cases of small colon strangulation in horses, enabling timely surgical intervention.
• The study demonstrated successful outcomes in both cases.