1
|
Haardt H, Romero AE, Boysen SR, Tan JY. Comparison of transrectal and transabdominal transducers for use in fast localized abdominal sonography of horses presenting with colic. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1307938. [PMID: 38239746 PMCID: PMC10794600 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1307938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Abdominal ultrasonography is valuable in the diagnosis of equine colic. Fast localized abdominal sonography of horses (FLASH) enables practitioners with limited experience to perform ultrasonography in emergency settings. However, many practitioners only possess rectal format linear array transducers (RFLT). The hypotheses are: (a) A low frequency curvilinear transducer (LFCT) and RFLT will detect free abdominal fluid and abnormal small intestinal loops with similar frequency during FLASH, and (b) there will be a difference between the transducers for detection of gastric abnormalities and nephrosplenic entrapment. The objective is to compare transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonographic detection of abnormalities in horses presenting with colic using a LFCT and RFLT. Twenty-four horses requiring FLASH for investigation of colic were enrolled. Horses that were too painful to undergo transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonographic examination were excluded. A single investigator performed FLASH on all horses using a RFLT, while one of three other clinicians simultaneously performed FLASH using a LFCT. Comparison of abnormal findings between the two transducers was performed using Chi square, Fisher's exact or Wilcoxon tests. The incidence of identification of abnormal findings was similar between the two transducers for all comparisons except the visibility of the left kidney and stomach (kidney LFCT 81.25% vs. RFLT 22.92%, stomach LFCT 87.5% vs. RFLT 62.5%). While there are limitations to using a RFLT to identify nephrosplenic entrapment of the colon and detection of the stomach, it reliably detects other common abnormalities, including peritoneal effusion, lesions of the small intestine, and changes to the wall of the large colon and cecum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Haardt
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Alfredo E. Romero
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Søren R. Boysen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jean-Yin Tan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barton MH, Hallowell GD. Current Topics in Medical Colic. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2023:S0749-0739(23)00020-2. [PMID: 37169621 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The list of medical causes of acute or chronic colic in horses is extensive. The purpose of this article is to review 4 medical causes of equine colic with a focus on newer trends in treatment. The 4 topics selected include gastric impaction, gastric glandular disease, colon displacement, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Henry Barton
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 2200 College Station Road, Room 1903, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Gayle D Hallowell
- IVC Evidensia, Valley View, Main Road, Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire, UK LE14 3BG
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Solis CN, Coleman M. Abdominal Sonographic Evaluation: In the Field, at the Hospital, and After Surgery. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2023:S0749-0739(23)00018-4. [PMID: 37169618 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal sonography is currently a routine procedure in the evaluation of colic in the horse. This imaging technique is used in both the assessment of the horse presented in the emergency setting with acute colic and the assessment of the horse presented for chronic or recurrent colic in the nonemergency setting. Sonography for colic evaluation is used by specialists in different disciplines and by general practitioners in the ambulatory and hospital settings. In this review, we will focus on indications and clinical interpretation of findings as well as recent developments in abdominal sonography.
Collapse
|
4
|
Diana A, Freccero F, Giancola F, Linta N, Pietra M, Luca V, Salamanca G, Cipone M, Chiocchetti R. Ex vivo ultrasonographic and histological morphometry of small intestinal wall layers in horses. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2022; 63:353-363. [PMID: 35171532 PMCID: PMC9306625 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonographic morphometry of wall layers is commonly used in veterinary patients with suspected small intestinal disease, however published studies comparing this method with histopathology in horses are limited. This prospective, methods comparison study compared the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of small intestinal wall layers using ex vivo high‐frequency ultrasound versus histopathology in a sample of 16 horses. Transverse section images of duodenum, distal jejunum, and ileum were acquired with a high‐frequency linear transducer (7–15 MHz). Transverse histological cryosections were obtained at the same level. Appearance and measurements of the intestinal wall layers were assessed on the ultrasonographic and histological images. High‐frequency scanning with the probe in close contact with the serosal surface of the equine intestinal wall allowed a clear and detailed definition of wall layers. A hyperechoic line was consistently detected within the tunica muscularis in all the intestinal tracts, corresponding histologically to the interface between its longitudinal and circular muscle layers. The overall trend of the values for wall layers thickness was comparable between ex vivo ultrasonography and histology. However, a poor agreement was found between the two methods for all layers. The ultrasonographic measurements were thicker compared to histological measurements, with the exception of the total wall and the muscular layer thicknesses. These layers were thinner on ultrasonography in the duodenum and in all the intestinal segments, respectively. Findings from the current study can be used as background for future ultrasonographic investigations of small intestinal diseases in horses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Diana
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesca Freccero
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Fiorella Giancola
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Nikolina Linta
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Marco Pietra
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Valeria Luca
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Salamanca
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Mario Cipone
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberto Chiocchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haardt H, Romero AE, Boysen SR, Lohnherr A, Tan JY. Incidence of superficial abdominal organ identification is similar using high-frequency linear (transrectal) and low-frequency curvilinear (abdominal) transducers in clinically healthy horses: A pilot study. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2022; 63:345-352. [PMID: 35048458 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal organ displacement is a potentially life-threatening condition in horses. Primary care veterinarians commonly make referral decisions based on a combination of clinical and ultrasonographic findings. However, published studies describing the effects of transducer on identifying abdominal organ locations in horses are currently lacking. The objective of this prospective, methods comparison, pilot study was to compare organ identification using a high-frequency linear (transrectal) transducer and a low-frequency curvilinear (abdominal) transducer for transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography of healthy horses. Twelve clinically normal adult horses owned by the University of Calgary were enrolled in the study. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed by four practitioners, each randomly assigned to an alternating rotation of transrectal or abdominal transducer and left or right side of a horse. Using a Chi square test or Fisher's exact test, the frequency of identification for each organ was compared between both transducers. There was no significant difference in organ identification on the right side of the abdomen. On the left side, the stomach, liver, and kidney were less likely to be detected with the transrectal transducer. Compared with a low-frequency abdominal transducer, a high-frequency linear transrectal transducer delivers images that allow for organ identification in transcutaneous ultrasonography of the equine abdomen except for the left kidney, left liver, and stomach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Haardt
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada.,Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, 260048A Writing Creek Crescent, Rocky View County, Alberta, T4A0M9, Canada.,Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Alfredo E Romero
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada
| | - Søren R Boysen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada
| | - Anika Lohnherr
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada.,Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, 260048A Writing Creek Crescent, Rocky View County, Alberta, T4A0M9, Canada
| | - Jean-Yin Tan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Waxman SJ. Use of transabdominal ultrasonography in the acute abdomen: Has it really revolutionised our colic work‐ups? EQUINE VET EDUC 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. J. Waxman
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
| |
Collapse
|