Transcutaneous ultrasonographic evaluation of the air-filled equine stomach and duodenum following gastroscopy.
Gastroscopy with air insufflation was performed in 10 ponies, after which a transcutaneous ultrasound examination of the stomach and duodenum was performed immediately and at 1, 2, and 4 h postgastroscopy, and 24 h after feeding. Stomach measurements included the dorsoventral and craniocaudal dimensions, as well as the stomach depth from the skin surface and stomach wall thickness at the different time periods. Gastric wall folding was observed in one pony, becoming most distinct 2-4 h postgastroscopy. An undulating stomach wall was noted in eight other ponies postgastroscopy. These observations appeared to be a response to the deflation of the stomach as the insufflated air was released gradually. Gas was detected in the duodenum after the gastroscopy. The parameters measured were noted to be useful to evaluate the extent of stomach distension due to air or feed. The ultrasonographic appearance of the stomach can, therefore, be altered by gastroscopy and this should be borne in mind when examining horses with suspected gastric disease.
Kihurani
David O G
DO
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. d.kihurani@cgiar.org
Carstens
Ann
A
Saulez
Montague N
MN
Donnellan
Cynthia M B
CM
D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D004386:Duodenum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007327:Insufflation; D013270:Stomach / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography