Circumferential mural bands in the small intestine causing simple obstructive colic: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Circumferential mural band (CMB) in the small intestine is an emerging condition in Ireland. The clinical presentation is a simple obstruction of the small intestine of unknown aetiology.


OBJECTIVE
Horses affected with CMB in the small intestine have a good prognosis following surgical decompression into the caecum.


METHODS
A retrospective study was carried out and 28 cases identified from 559 colic surgeries performed over a 5.5 year period. An exploratory celiotomy was performed in every case. A simple obstruction at the mid or distal jejunum was identified caused by a CMB, which was multiple in some cases. All of the horses except 2 had undergone a regular anthelmintic programme.


RESULTS
Manual decompression of the small intestine into the caecum resulted in resolution of the simple jejunal obstruction. A constricted segment of small intestine was resected in one case, as the degree of constriction was severe. A full thickness biopsy was taken from another case. Histopathology was performed on both samples. All horses recovered from surgery and were discharged from the hospital 7-32 days post operatively. Short-term complications were observed. Survival rate was 100% at long-term follow-up. Histopathology showed inflammatory infiltration in the submucosa, muscularis and serosa with eosinophils predominating. Parasites were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Small intestine circumferential mural bands have a good prognosis after surgical decompression of the small intestine into the caecum.
Perez Olmos
J F
JF
Troytown Equine Hospital, Kildare, Ireland.
Schofield
W L
WL
Dillon
H
H
Sadlier
M
M
Fogarty
U
U
D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome