SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Nephrosplenic ligament entrapment
Diagnosis of a nephrosplenic ligament entrapment ultrasonographically is based
upon the inability to visualize the left kidney transabdominally and the visualization of
ingesta and/or gas filled large bowel instead in the dorsal aspect of the paralumbar
fossa and the dorsal caudal left side of the abdomen. The spleen is ventrally
displaced. The most dorsal portion of the spleen that can be imaged has a straight
horizontal dorsal border extending from the paralumbar fossa to the 10-12 th
intercostal space, at which point the colon is no longer visible due to the intervening
lung. Dorsal to the spleen a bright hyperechoic reflection is imaged from the
displaced or entrapped large colon. The sonogram can be used to see if treatment
with phenylephrine, followed by lunging, or rolling the horse has successfully
corrected the nephrosplenic ligament entrapment.
Nephrosplenic ligament entrapment
Right dorsal displacement
The sonographic detection of enlarged colonic mesenteric blood vessels above the
costochondral junction on the right side is indicative of a right dorsal displacement.
This may also be imaged in some horses with an 180 o large colon volvulus. Lack of
visualization of the duodenum and liver is often noticed in horses with a right dorsal
displacement. A right dorsal displacement, a 180 o large colon volvulus or both were
32.5 times more likely to be found at surgery when a colonic mesenteric vessel was
detected ultrasonographically on the right side of the abdomen above the
costochondral junction. The detection of a colonic vessel on the right side of the
abdomen in very specific for a problem involving the large colon. The detection of
large colon dorsal to the right liver lobe is consistent with a large colon displacement
or an epiploic foramen entrapment although usually small intestine is imaged in this
location in horses with an epiploic foramen entrapment.
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