Foal colic: practical imaging of the abdomen

End‐to‐side anastomosis of the left ventral colon to the small colon in a neonatal foal with segmental agenesis of the large colon

“…Radiography may provide more information on the presence of intestinal atresia and its possible location . Retrograde contrast colography using 30% w/v barium at 5–20 mL/kg has been reported to have 100% sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of atresia of the transverse and small colon in foals less than 30 days of age, and 86% sensitivity for conditions affecting the large and small colon .…”

“…The condition is fatal if untreated; however, reaching a definitive diagnosis prior to surgery may be difficult . Both radiography and ultrasonography may provide valuable information prior to proceeding to exploratory laparotomy . Generally, the prognosis for foals with intestinal atresia is poor and there are only a few reports of successful surgical management .…”

Colic surgery in the equine neonate: Not your typical cause of colic and are we doing better with treatment?

“…Ultrasonography and radiography are often used in foals to obtain a tentative diagnosis (e.g. intussusception) and findings using these imaging modalities can be used to determine the need for surgery (Neal 2003).…”

Intestinal atresia in foals: A diagnostic and treatment challenge

“…In foals with intestinal atresia, this will reveal an absence of retained meconium. Both radiography and ultrasonography of the abdomen are readily available in practice and are commonly used to provide valuable information in foals with suspected meconium impaction that is refractory to treatment (Fischer et al 1987;Neal 2003;Biasutti et al 2017). Typically, in the abdominal radiographs of foals with a meconium impaction, there is a tubular soft tissue opacity associated with the accumulated meconium in the small colon that can be traced to the caudodorsal abdomen.…”

“…may be used to suppress normal peristalsis and improve visualisation if given before the procedure (Hunter and Belgrave 2010). Colonoscopy can distinguish obstructions such as meconium impaction from atresia, however, often the atresia is too far proximal for Using a combination of the diagnostic techniques described above, for investigation of foals presenting with abdominal pain, may still not provide a definitive diagnosis of intestinal atresia, however, are likely to provide a high index of suspicion and sufficient evidence to proceed to exploratory laparotomy (Fischer and Yarbrough 1995;Chaffin and Cohen 1999;Neal 2003;Biasutti et al 2017). Generally, the prognosis for foals with intestinal atresia has been reported to be poor and there are only a few reports of successful surgical correction and, of these, there are few with long term followup (Schneider et al 1981;Young et al 1992;Nappert et al 1992;Biasutti et al 2017).…”