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==Description==

==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. The borders of the epiploic foramen are made up of the vena cava, hepatic portal vein, liver and pancreas.

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. The borders of the epiploic foramen are made up of the vena cava, hepatic portal vein, liver and pancreas.

==Clinical signs==

==Clinical signs==

Horses with epiploic foramen entrapment frequently exhibit acute onset and severe abdominal pain that is usually non-responsive to analgesia. A rare feature of the condition is sudden death due to rupture of the portal vein and subsequent haemorrhage.

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. A rare feature of the condition is sudden death due to rupture of the portal vein and subsequent haemorrhage.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Nasogastric reflux is frequently present but may not lead to pain relief. Rectal palpation is often unrewarding due to the anterior position of the lesion but may reveal small intestinal distension. 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.  

Definitive diagnosis of epiploic foramen entrapment may not be straigtforward and is often made at surgery. Rectal palpation is often unrewarding due to the anterior position of the lesion but may reveal small intestinal distension. 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==

==Treatment==