Alimentary - Obstructions & Displacements

Question 1

What are 2 synonyms for functional obstructions?

Answer 1

Ileus
Atony

Question 2

What is the definition of functional obstruction (ileus, atony)?

Answer 2

intestinal stasis from lack of effective innervation leading to reduced peristalsis

Question 3

What are the causes of functional obstructions?

Answer 3

• Post-surgical manipulation
• Peritonitis
• Chronic distension
• Idiopathic
• Congenital aganglionosis (Lethal white overo foals)

Question 4

True/False

If dilation is slow, the stomach can adapt to gastric impaction.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Causes of Gastric Impaction

Answer 5

• poor quality roughage
• inadequate water intake
• inadequate mastication
• vagal nerve damage
• pyloric stenosis / outflow obstruction
• aoasal emptying defect (toxic - Suffolk sheep)

Question 6

True/False

Physical/mechanical obstructions are the less common than functional obstructions.

Answer 6

False

physical obstructions>functional obstructions

Question 7

Examples of Intraluminal Obstructions

Answer 7

• FB
• enteroliths
• sand/forage
• parasites
• intussusception
• volvulus/torsion
• stenosis
• incarcerations

Question 8

What one word describe the accordian intestine that results from linear foreign bodies?

Answer 8

plication

Question 9

What common intestinal obstruction can form in horses?

Answer 9

enteroliths

Question 10

Common Gastric Displacements

Answer 10

• Bovine Abomasal Displacements (RDA, LDA)
• Canine GDV Syndrome
• Equine Acute Gastric Dilation & RUPTURE (severe reflux, distension)

Question 11

Common Intestinal Displacements

Answer 11

• Intussusception - proximal seg into distal seg
• Volvulus & Torsion - jejunal mesenteric root vs. segmental, large colon, spiral colon, cecal torsion
• Herniations & Incarcerations - strangulating lipoma, mesenteric root, abdominal adhesions

Question 12

What does an incarcerated hernia refer to?

Answer 12

A hernia where the contents can no longer be reduced.

Question 13

True/False

Intussusception is most common in older animals.

Answer 13

False

more common in young animals, better GI motility

Question 14

Causes of intussusception?

Answer 14

• Irritability & Dysmotility
  ascarids, cestodes, strongyles, inflammation, FB, tumor

Question 15

Sequelae of intussusception

Answer 15

Obstruction & passive congestion
-> venous infarct
-> opportunistic infection
-> peritonitis, shock, death

Question 16

Describe the difference between volvulus and torsion.

Answer 16

Volvulus: twisting of stomach or intestine around its mesenteric axis
Torsion: rotation of a tubular organ along its longitudinal axis

Question 17

Definition of a hernia (also external & internal)

Answer 17

displacement of a portion of the intesttine through a normal or pathogenic foramen
* external hernia: beyond the abdominal cavity with a hernial sac
* internal hernia: within the abdominal cavity, with or without a sac (e.g. epiploic foramen)

Question 18

What are the boundaries of the epiploic foramen in horses?

Answer 18

1. right lobe of liver
2. right kidney
3. descending duodenum

Question 19

True/False

Strangulating lipomas on meseteric stalk (pedunculated) are a common finding in older horses.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Causes of intestinal stenosis & strictures

Answer 20

• dysplasia (congenital stenosis)
• circumferential scarring (stricture)
• post-surgical (resections)
• neoplasm (desmoplasia)
• necrotizing enteritis (salmonella typhimurium in pigs)