Haematuria in two geldings caused by osteochondroma of theos pubis: Case reports and anatomic study of theos pubisin 41 cadaveric pelvises

Abstract

Summary Exostosis of the os pubis causing haematuria, and potentially cystorrhexis, in horses has not been described in the literature. In this study, 2 geldings that suffered from exercise‐induced haematuria caused by an osteochondroma of the os pubis, and the assessment of 41 cadaveric pubic bones are reported on. The anatomy of the os pubis is highly variable. The prevalence of exostosis in the os pubis appears to be higher in male horses. Palpation and ultrasonography of the pelvis per rectum and cystoscopy are valuable diagnostic tools. Depending on the extent of changes in the bladder wall, surgical removal of the exostosis should be considered in order to prevent cystorrhexis. In horses that present with haematuria, closer assessment of the os pubis for the presence of an exostosis is warranted.

Bloody urine – the list of differential diagnoses lengthens, but diagnostics remain the same

“…Haematuria of two horses was reportedly caused by damage inflicted during exercise to that portion of a full and heavy bladder directly overlying a pubic exostosis or osteochondroma (Rebsamen et al . ). Haematuria caused by a cystolith may be evident only after the horse exercises and is often evident only near the end of urination.…”

“…Detecting a prominent exostosis on the pubic bone during transrectal palpation of the abdomen of a horse with a history of exercise‐induced haematuria might indicate that haematuria is the result of repetitive damage to the bladder by the protuberance (Rebsamen et al . ).…”

Laparoscopic resection of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse

“…Until recently, there have been neither reports describing exostosis of the os pubis in the horse nor treatment recommendations for horses with associated clinical signs . In a previous study, a surgical attempt to resect an exostosis (via a retroperitoneal approach) resulted in serious postoperative complications leading to euthanasia in one animal.…”

“…In a previous study, a surgical attempt to resect an exostosis (via a retroperitoneal approach) resulted in serious postoperative complications leading to euthanasia in one animal. Another horse had a severe fibrinous peritonitis associated with a full thickness tear of the bladder neck and was also euthanized …”

“…In male horses, the craniodorsal part of the symphyseal branch is marked by an inconstant (age‐related) dorsal pubic tubercle that lies opposite to the ventral pubic tubercle . The conformation of the pecten ossis pubis, the symphysis pubis, and the conjunction of the cranial and caudal pubic rami have been reported to show a high interindividual variety …”