Use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus in horses.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Abutarbush
Sameeh M
SM
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography