Large intestinal ganglioneuromatosis in a juvenile Arabian filly: Management and long‐term follow‐up

Abstract

SummaryAn 11‐month‐old Arabian filly was presented for chronic diarrhoea, ill‐thrift and intermittent colic. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed multifocal regions of marked colonic wall thickening. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed multifocal, multi‐sized nodular and segmental intramural mass‐like lesions affecting the right ventral and transverse colon, respectively. Locally extensive regions of mural thickening in the aborad transverse colon resulted in severe luminal restriction (<2.5 cm) and subsequent obstruction of the orad transverse and right dorsal colons with impacted feed material. The lesions were unresectable and full‐thickness biopsy samples were submitted for histopathological evaluation. The filly was subsequently diagnosed with transmural intestinal ganglioneuromatosis of the right ventral and transverse colons. The filly was successfully conservatively managed over a 24‐month follow‐up duration. Management consisted of long‐term dietary modifications in the form of a low‐bulk diet, as well as enteral laxatives and a tapering course of corticosteroids postoperatively. This is the first case of intestinal ganglioneuromatosis in veterinary literature that was (1) diagnosed in a juvenile horse, (2) successfully medically managed and (3) followed up for more than 12 months.