Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A giant nonstrangulating mesenteric lipoma as a cause of recurrent colic in a horse
- Journal:
- Equine Veterinary Education
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Verwilghen, D. et al.
- Affiliation:
- Large Animal University Hospital Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A middle-aged horse was brought to the vet because it kept having episodes of colic, which is a type of belly pain that can be serious. After examining the horse, the veterinarians found a large lipoma, which is a fatty tumor, that was pressing on the small intestine but not cutting off its blood supply. This lipoma was likely the reason for the horse's repeated discomfort. The treatment involved surgery to remove the lipoma, and it was determined that this would help resolve the colic episodes.
Abstract
Summary Colic is a major cause of veterinary attendance in general practice and although most colic episodes remain isolated, recurrence may occur and definitive diagnosis can be difficult to obtain. This report describes an unusual presentation of a lipoma in a middle‐aged horse presented for recurrent colic. A massive lipoma causing a nonstrangulating space occupying obstruction of the small intestine was found during an exploratory celiotomy and was considered to be the most likely cause of the recurrent episodes of abdominal discomfort.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12057