Radiographic and Ultrasonographic Findings in Three Surgically Confirmed Cases of Small Intestinal Ischemia Related to Mesenteric Volvulus or Intestinal Torsion in Dogs

Pia Björkenheim,Merja Laitinen,Elina Rautala

doi:10.4236/ojvm.2017.79010

Abstract

This case report describes the radiographic and ultrasonographic findings of three surgically confirmed cases of mesenteric volvulus or intestinal torsion in dogs. In all three cases, ultrasonographic findings included segmental ileus and absent or markedly reduced peristalsis of the affected small intestine, and partial loss of wall layering with increased overall echogenicity of the intestinal wall, but with normal to mildly increased wall thickening. No blood flow was detected in the affected small intestinal wall when assessed with colour Doppler. A moderate amount of peritoneal effusion was also detected with hyperechoic omental and mesenteric fat tissue throughout the peritoneal cavity. Few reports describe ultrasonographic findings of small intestinal ischemia in small animals. In all three cases presented here, ultrasound was helpful in demonstrating typical intestinal wall changes and helped to obtain the correct diagnosis of ischemic disease of the small intestine.

Highlights

Mesenteric volvulus or intestinal torsion is a rare cause of acute abdomen
Intestinal ischemia is caused by occlusion of the cranial mesenteric artery and vein leading to gas and fluid accumulation into the intestinal lumen, oedema and necrosis of the intestinal wall, disruption of the mucosal barrier, toxin release and translocation of bacteria eventually resulting septic peritonitis and shock [1]
Radiographic findings suggested a segmental ileus of the small intestine, most likely due to mechanical obstruction, e.g. due to a foreign body

Summary

Introduction

Mesenteric volvulus or intestinal torsion is a rare cause of acute abdomen. Symptoms are usually acute a case of chronic mesenteric volvulus has been reported in a dog [3] [4] [5]. But some suggested aetiologies include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis and ileocolic carcinoma, intussusception, parvovirus infection, vigorous exercise, closed abdominal trauma, concurrent gastric dilatation volvulus, and gastrointestinal foreign bodies [8] [9] [10] [11]. There are fewer case reports describing partial or segmental small intestinal volvulus in dogs. In two case reports describing localised jejunal volvulus in dogs, the condition was diagnosed two months after surgically treated intussusception or was secondary to intra-abdominal adhesions due to previous gastric foreign body surgery [12] [13]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion