Gastric torsion in the dog—I. Radiological picture during nonsurgical treatment related to the pathological anatomy and to the further clinical course

Abstract

ABSTRACTIf attempted nonsurgical evacuation of a twisted stomach is unsuccessful, as indicated (on radiographs) by a distinct gas bag ventrally and to the right in the abdomen, there is always a displacement of the dilated and gas‐filled fundus into the omental bursa. The fundus is trapped in that position by a ‘ring’ consisting of the splenic artery, the short gastric arteries, the left crus of the diaphragm and a part of the corpus of the stomach. The ‘ring’ strangulates the transition zone between the fundus and the corpus of the stomach. The displaced fundus thus forms the contents of an ‘inner hernia’ with the structures mentioned above functioning as the ‘hernial ring’.The radiographic course of events after a successful evacuation of a stomach in torsion shows great variations from case to case. Sometimes the stomach returns to a normal position immediately, or within hours, after evacuation. In other cases it may remain ‘upside down’ for days or weeks without causing a functional disturbance. The variations of the radiological course as related to patho‐anatomical and clinical observations are discussed.