Abstract
Aim:The present study was conducted on advanced pregnant buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion to assess the status of fetus and uterus by transabdominal ultrasonography, and the findings were compared with normal advanced pregnant buffaloes.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on 20 clinical cases of uterine torsion and 20 normal advanced pregnant buffaloes (control group). The lower ventral area just lateral to linea alba (on both sides of the udder) in standing animals was scanned transabdominally by the two-dimensional convex transducer for various ultrasonographic findings. The data collected were statistically analyzed by “one-way ANOVA” and “independent sample t-test” using computerized SPSS 16.0 software program.Results:Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed dead fetus in 95% uterine torsion cases and proved useful in imaging internal structures of fetuses while no dead fetus was reported in the control group. Size of umbilicus was found significantly decreased (p<0.05) in uterine torsion group in comparison to control animals, but the decrease in placentomal area was marginal (p>0.05) in uterine torsion group. Average thickness of the uterine wall and mean pixel values of fetal fluids (echogenicity) were found significantly increased (p<0.05) in uterine torsion affected buffaloes in comparison to control group.Conclusion:Status of fetus (whether live or dead), internal status of uterus, and its contents could be determined by transabdominal ultrasonography in uterine torsion cases and thus determining the prognosis of the uterine torsion cases before going for further manipulations. This will also help in taking all the precautions to avoid death of the fetus.
Highlights
Torsion of uterus usually occurs in a pregnant uterine horn and is defined as the twisting of the uterus on its longitudinal axis [1,2]
Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed dead fetus in 95% uterine torsion cases and proved useful in imaging internal structures of fetuses while no dead fetus was reported in the control group
Status of fetus, internal status of uterus, and its contents could be determined by transabdominal ultrasonography in uterine torsion cases and determining the prognosis of the uterine torsion cases before going for further manipulations
Summary
Torsion of uterus usually occurs in a pregnant uterine horn and is defined as the twisting of the uterus on its longitudinal axis [1,2]. It appears that uterine torsion is the single largest cause of dystocia in buffaloes during terminal gestation [3,4]. It appears to originate because of inherently weaker broad ligaments, smaller quantity of fetal fluids and decrease in uterine tone and size coupled with inordinate fetal movements [3]. Factors such as duration of the condition and severity of the torsion have been suggested as determinants of the outcome [5].
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