Use of digital abdominal radiography for the diagnosis of enterolithiasis in equids: 238 cases (2008-2011)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 245; no. 1; p. 126
• Main Authors: Kelleher, Maureen E, Puchalski, Sarah M, Drake, Christiana, le Jeune, Sarah S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Female; Horse Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Horse Diseases - pathology; Horses; Intestinal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Diseases - pathology; Intestinal Diseases - veterinary; Lithiasis - diagnostic imaging; Lithiasis - pathology; Lithiasis - veterinary; Male; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.245.1.126

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of direct digital abdominal radiography for the diagnosis of enterolithiasis in equids and to assess the effect of the number and anatomic location of enteroliths and gas distention of the gastrointestinal tract on diagnostic sensitivity of the technique. Retrospective case series. 238 horses and ponies ≥ 1 year old that underwent digital abdominal radiography with subsequent exploratory celiotomy or postmortem examination. For each case, 3 reviewers independently evaluated radiographic views. Radiographic images were evaluated for presence or absence and location of enteroliths and the degree of gas distention. Signalment, definitive diagnosis based on exploratory celiotomy or postmortem examination findings, and number and anatomic location of enteroliths were obtained from the medical records. 70 of the 238 (29.4%) equids had confirmed enterolithiasis. With regard to diagnosis of enterolithiasis via digital radiography, overall sensitivity and specificity for the 3 reviewers were 84% and 96%, respectively. Sensitivity was lower for small colon enteroliths (61.5%) than for large colon enteroliths (88.9%) and was negatively affected by gas distention of the gastrointestinal tract. Sensitivity was not affected by the number of enteroliths. Sensitivity and specificity of digital radiography for the diagnosis of large colon enterolithiasis in equids was high. Sensitivity of digital radiography for detection of small colon enteroliths was lower than that for large colon enteroliths, but was higher than that typically associated with computed radiography. In geographic regions in which enterolithiasis in equids is endemic, digital abdominal radiography could be used as a diagnostic test for equids with colic.