Uso dell’ecografia in corso di sindrome colica nel cavallo: studio retrospettivo su 158 casi chirurgici

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of abdominal ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in colic horses requiring surgery. Left kidney, stomach, duodenum, loops of the small intestine (SI), large colon (LC) and amount of peritoneal fluid were assessed. One hundred fifty-eight horses with signs of acute abdomen were included. The results support previous data obtained for definitive diagnosis involving SI, in particular strangulating obstruction, and strangulating LC volvulus. Thickened wall loops may be present in horses with obstruction, intussusception, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Ultrasound examination is very sensitive for renosplenic entrapment. Large colon should be carefully evaluated since LC lesions could represent the primary disease even if abnormal SI loops are identified.