title: Ultrasonographic assessment of long-term enterectomy sites in dogs.
abstract: Twenty-eight enterectomy sites from 28 dogs were evaluated sonographically 6 months postoperatively or later. The longest time between the enterectomy and sonography was nearly 7 years. The enterectomy site was visible sonograpically in 22/28 (78.6%) dogs. The enterectomy scar typically appeared as mild focal intestinal wall thickening (90.9%) with altered (90.9%) or absent wall layering (9.1%) over a short distance of the bowel (median 1.2 cm, range from 0.6 to 2.5 cm). Intramural hyperechoic foci, most likely representing fibrosis or nonabsorbed suture material were noted in 63.6% of the visible enterectomy sites. A focal accumulation of intraluminal gas was often seen (81.8%) at the enterectomy site. Additional ultrasonographic features included the presence of an irregular hyperechoic rim bordering the enterectomy site (50%), and a focal deviation of the intestinal course (45.5%). These descriptive features may assist ultrasonographers in differentiating a previous enterectomy site from other focal intestinal changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cumming School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Augustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mareschal
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Penninck
authors.forename: Cynthia R L
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography