Ultrasonographic visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature as an indicator of large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° volvulus (or both) in horses

• Published in: Canadian veterinary journal 2012-04, Vol.53 (4), p.378-382
• Main Authors: Ness, SallyAnne L, Bain, Fairfield T, Zantingh, Alanna J, Gaughan, Earl M, Story, Melinda R, Nydam, Daryl V, Divers, Thomas J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Colic - diagnosis; Colic - diagnostic imaging; Colic - veterinary; Colonic Diseases - diagnosis; Colonic Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Colonic Diseases - veterinary; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Horse Diseases - diagnosis; Horse Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Horses; Intestinal Volvulus - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Volvulus - veterinary; Male; Mesentery - blood supply; Mesentery - diagnostic imaging; Predictive Value of Tests; Scientific; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0008-5286

Visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature during transabdominal ultrasonographic examination of horses with colic can be a predictor of right dorsal displacement of the large colon or 180° large colon volvulus, or both. Medical records of 82 horses having had surgical treatment of colic and having received a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination on admission were reviewed. Colonic mesenteric vessels were sonographically identified coursing laterally on the right side of the abdomen in 24 of the 82 cases. Horses with colonic vessels identified on ultrasound were 32.5 times more likely to be diagnosed at surgery with either large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° large colon volvulus than those in which vessels were not seen (P < 0.001). Visualization of colonic mesenteric vessels on ultrasound provided a sensitivity of 67.7%, specificity of 97.9%, positive predictive value of 95.8%, and negative predictive value of 81% for large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° large colon volvulus, or both.