Liver lobe torsion in six horses

Abstract

Results suggested that diagnosis of liver lobe torsion in horses may be difficult because clinical signs and results of laboratory testing are nonspecific and variable. Most affected horses had markedly abnormal peritoneal fluid. The prognosis for hepatic lobe torsion can be good, and early surgical correction is expected to improve outcome.

Medical and surgical management of an intra-abdominal abscess of hepatic origin in a horse

“…15,16 Dissimilar to the horse of this report, peritoneal effusion was a consistent finding in these horses, as was a rapid clinical progression of cardiovascular compromise precipitating death or euthanasia. 15,16 Although the exact etiopathogenesis of the abscess in the horse of the present report remains unknown, complete segregation of a necrotic portion of the liver within an abscess capsule has, to our knowledge, not been previously reported. This horse of the present report also represents the first successful surgical removal of necrotic liver resulting from a hepatic abscess in a horse.…”

“…The authors postulate that this may have occurred secondary to a left hepatic lobe torsion or hepatic vessel thrombosis. 6,[15][16][17] This etiology is supported by clinical and imaging findings as well as histologic interpretation of the affected tissue, all of which appear consistent with hepatic lobe torsion in other mammalian species. [17][18][19] Reports of hepatic lobe torsion in horses have involved left liver lobes, a lateralized predilection similar to other nonhuman mammalian species.…”

“…15,16 In past reported cases of horses with liver lobe torsion that involved an entire lobe of the liver, primary clinical signs were nonspecific and included fever, inappetence, lethargy, weight loss, and colic. 15,16 Dissimilar to the horse of this report, peritoneal effusion was a consistent finding in these horses, as was a rapid clinical progression of cardiovascular compromise precipitating death or euthanasia. 15,16 Although the exact etiopathogenesis of the abscess in the horse of the present report remains unknown, complete segregation of a necrotic portion of the liver within an abscess capsule has, to our knowledge, not been previously reported.…”

“…[17][18][19] Reports of hepatic lobe torsion in horses have involved left liver lobes, a lateralized predilection similar to other nonhuman mammalian species. 10,[15][16][17][18][19] Although the mechanism for the lateralized predilection remains unknown, it has been postulated that liver lobe torsion in the horse may occur secondary to abnormal gastric dilation, gastric filling, disruption or pathological changes of the ligamentous attachments, neoplasia, or trauma. 15,16 In past reported cases of horses with liver lobe torsion that involved an entire lobe of the liver, primary clinical signs were nonspecific and included fever, inappetence, lethargy, weight loss, and colic.…”

“…10,[15][16][17][18][19] Although the mechanism for the lateralized predilection remains unknown, it has been postulated that liver lobe torsion in the horse may occur secondary to abnormal gastric dilation, gastric filling, disruption or pathological changes of the ligamentous attachments, neoplasia, or trauma. 15,16 In past reported cases of horses with liver lobe torsion that involved an entire lobe of the liver, primary clinical signs were nonspecific and included fever, inappetence, lethargy, weight loss, and colic. 15,16 Dissimilar to the horse of this report, peritoneal effusion was a consistent finding in these horses, as was a rapid clinical progression of cardiovascular compromise precipitating death or euthanasia.…”