Epiploic Foramen Entrapment - Horse

Herniation/Entrapment

Description

Epiploic foramen entrapment in the horse refers to a displacement of small intestine through a small hole or foramen that separates the omental bursa from the peritoneal cavity. This form of obstruction accounts for between 2% and 8% of horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for colic.

Pathogenesis

The borders of the epiploic foramen are made up of the vena cava, hepatic portal vein, liver and pancreas. Most incarcerations are caused by small intestine passing from the left side of the abdomen through the epiploic foramen to the right side of the abdomen. The ileum and the jejunum are the most commonly incarcerated portions of small intestine.

Signalment

Horses of breeds may be affected but an increased prevalence has been reported in Thoroughbreds. Older horses are thought to be more prone to developing epiploic foramen entrapment and it has been hypothesised that this may be due enlargement of the epiploic foramen following age-related atrophy of the right liver lobe. However, the disease has also been reported in foals. Crib-biting behaviour is also thought to increase the risk of entrapment.

Clinical signs

The presentation of this condition is similar to that of other strangulating lesions such as small intestinal volvulus. Horses with epiploic foramen entrapment frequently exhibit acute onset and severe abdominal pain that is usually non-responsive to analgesia. This is often characterised by clinical signs including rolling, pawing at the ground, flank watching and kicking at the abdomen. Other clinical signs may include tachycardia, tachypnoea, reduced borborygmy. Signs of endotoxaemia may be present including prolonged capillary refill time and congested mucous membranes. A rare feature of the condition is sudden death due to rupture of the portal vein and subsequent haemorrhage.

Diagnosis

Definitive diagnosis of epiploic foramen entrapment may not be straightforward and is often made at surgery. Rectal palpation is often unrewarding due to the anterior position of the lesion but may reveal distended coils of small intestine. Nasogastric reflux is frequently present but may not lead to pain relief. Transabdominal ultrasonography may reveal distended, hypomotile small intestine. Abdominocentesis is often useful to determine the degree of strangulation and peritoneal fluid may be serosanguineous with an increased lactate, total protein and leukocyte count.

Treatment

If epiploic foramen entrapment is suspected, surgical intervention is required. A ventral midline exploratory coeliotomy is performed and the the encarcerated portion of intestine is reduced by gentle traction. Decompression may be required prior to reduction if the segment is oedematous or filled with ingesta. Manual dilation of the foramen in order to aid reduction has been suggested by previous authors but this may lead to rupture of the portal vein and great care must be taken when doing so.

Prognosis

The prognosis following surgical treatment is fair with current reported short-term survival rates of 75% and a 40-70% long term survival rate. The prognosis may be altered by the extent of strangulation observed at surgery and the presence of endotoxaemia.

References

• Bentz, B. (2004) Understanding Equine Colic Eclipse Press
• Bertone, J. (2006) Equine Geriatric Medicine Elsevier Health Sciences
• Mair, T. S. (2003) Incarceration and impaction of a short segment of ileum into the epiploic foramen in a horse Equine Veterinary Education 15 (4) 189-191
• Orsini, J. A., Divers, T. (2007) Equine Emergencies: Treatment and Procedures Elsevier Health Sciences
• Radostits, O. M., Arundel, J. H., Gay, C. C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences

See Colic Diagnosis in Horses

Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses