SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Right dorsal colon impaction
Enteritis/Duodenitis
Fluid distension of the intestinal tract with increased peristalsis indicates developing
enteritis. The wall of the affected portion of the intestine may be thickened, edematous
and more hypoechoic than normal, particularly with severe inflammatory bowel
disease. Shreds of intestinal mucosa may be imaged in the lumen of the intestinal tract.
Marked fluid distension of the stomach should prompt gastric decompression. Fluid
distention of the duodenum can also be imaged with anterior enteritis and other more
distal obstructions. The lack of motility in these intestinal segments is consistent with an
ileus and the thickness and echogenicity of the bowel wall are an indication of the
degree of involvement of the bowel wall.
Duodenal distention with anterior enteritis
Adults with proximal duodenitis/ anterior enteritis may have an associated
cholangiohepatitis with elevated biliary enzymes.
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Sonography can characterize the peritoneal fluid, identify intramural gas (pneumatosis
intestinalis), portal venous gas, intraperitoneal gas, bowel wall thickening, and bowel
wall perfusion in horses with necrotizing enterocolitis. Thinning of the bowel wall and
lack of bowel wall perfusion and indicative of nonviable intestine and possible
impending perforation.
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