Observations on the potential role of oesophageal radiography in the horse.
Radiological features of the oesophagus of 7 normal horses and 13 with oesophageal lesions are described. The use of barium sulphate as a contrast agent and the techniqes of its administration are discussed. It is suggested that chronic intermittent oesophageal impaction with food material was a predisposing factor in the development of a localised oesophageal dilation in 3 horses and that one other probably resulted from an injury. A similar dilatation was seen which resulted from oesophageal constriction by a vascular ring. Megaoesophagus was seen in 2 ponies associated with grass sickness and a third case had a more localised ares of dilatation in the distal thoracic oesophagus. Other abnormalities recognised included slow passage of food material through the cranial oesophagus which was seen in 3 horses; one as a sequel to a laryngoplasty operation, the second was the probable result of chronic aerophagia and the third was a congenital abnormality. Oesophagoscopy was found to be a useful adjunct to radiography in the diagnosis of oesophageal disorders in horses.
D000818:Animals; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000662:veterinary*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography