Use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus in horses.
Abstract: To describe the use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus (LCV) in horses. Methods: Descriptive report. Methods: 4 horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain. Methods: Each horse was administered analgesic agents for pain control and placed in stocks. Ultrasonographic evaluations were performed with a 3.5-MHz sector scanning transducer that was placed parallel to the long axis of the horse (longitudinal imaging) over an area of the left ventral aspect of the abdomen. The boundaries of the evaluated region included the ventral midline, 2 vertical lines at the level of the left 10th and 17th intercostal spaces, and a horizontal line between the 2 vertical lines at the level of the costal arch of the left 10th intercostal area. Results: In all horses, nonsacculated large colon was identified ultrasonographically in the left ventral portion of the abdomen; this finding was considered indicative of LCV. In 3 horses, the LCV involved intestinal rotation of 180 degrees, whereas in 1 horse, the LCV involved intestinal rotation of 540 degrees. As confirmed by surgical or postmortem findings, the degree and location of the volvulus were correctly estimated from ultrasonographic images. Conclusions: In horses, this method of diagnosis of LCV appears to be of value regardless of the location at which the rotation of the large colon occurs. Ultrasonographic findings may aid in the earlier diagnosis of LCV in horses, especially at an early stage of the disease when other clinical signs are equivocal.
Publication Date: 2006-02-02 PubMed ID: 16448367DOI: 10.2460/javma.228.3.409Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates using ultrasound imaging to diagnose large colon volvulus, a severe intestinal condition, in horses. The results showed high accuracy in estimating the degree and location of the volvulus, proving the technique useful in early detection of the condition.
Methodology
- The study subjects were four horses exhibiting symptoms of abdominal pain.
- Initially, pain management was ensured by administering analgesic medications to the horses.
- The selected horses were being securely held in place in stocks to carry out this experiment.
- Ultrasonic scans were conducted using a 3.5-MHz sector scanning transducer. It was held parallel to the horse’s long axis for a longitudinal image.
- The scanning area on the horse was the left ventral portion of the abdomen, between specific anatomical landmarks to guide the examination.
Results
- The ultrasound imaging identified nonsacculated large colon in all of the horses, a key symptom of large colon volvulus (LCV).
- LCV was observed as the intestine’s unexpected rotation. In three horses, 180-degree rotation was spotted, while in one horse, a 540-degree rotation was detected.
- The research mentions that the severity and positioning of the volvulus were accurately predicted based on the ultrasound imaging results.
- This accuracy was confirmed via surgical or postmortem examinations.
Conclusions
- This study advocates for the use of ultrasonography as a valuable diagnostic tool for LCV in horses, irrespective of where in the large colon the rotation occurs.
- Further, it suggests that the ultrasound can help detect LCV at an early, treatable stage, specifically when other clinical indicators are not clear.
Cite This Article
APA
Abutarbush SM.
(2006).
Use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus in horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 228(3), 409-413.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.3.409 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Abdominal Pain / veterinary
- Animals
- Colon / diagnostic imaging
- Colonic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Colonic Diseases / surgery
- Colonic Diseases / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Intestinal Volvulus / diagnostic imaging
- Intestinal Volvulus / surgery
- Intestinal Volvulus / veterinary
- Male
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F. Equine colic: A comprehensive overview of the sonographic evaluation, diagnostic criteria, and management of different categories. Open Vet J 2025 Mar;15(3):1116-1139.
- Kos VK, Kramaric P, Brloznik M. Packed cell volume and heart rate to predict medical and surgical cases and their short-term survival in horses with gastrointestinal-induced colic. Can Vet J 2022 Apr;63(4):365-372.
- Siwinska N, Zak A, Baron M, Cylna M, Borowicz H. Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186825.
- Ness SL, Bain FT, Zantingh AJ, Gaughan EM, Story MR, Nydam DV, Divers TJ. 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 2012 Apr;53(4):378-82.
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