Large Colon Volvulus in a Neonatal Foal Secondary to Atresia Coli.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Large Colon Volvulus in a Neonatal Foal Secondary to Atresia Coli McGovern and Gough document a challenging case of an 18-hour-old foal presenting with clinical signs consistent with meconium impaction that ultimately proved to be Type 3 atresia coli (AC)—a congenital condition where the colon terminates prematurely at the left ventral colon—combined with a severe 1,080° volvulus at the sternal flexure. Initial medical management proved unsuccessful, and the owners elected euthanasia rather than exploratory surgery; post-mortem examination revealed both lesions were present simultaneously. The authors propose that the anatomical abnormality of AC may predispose affected foals to large colon volvulus, though the exact mechanistic relationship remains speculative pending histopathological investigation in future cases. For practitioners, this case highlights the importance of early surgical exploration in neonatal foals with meconium impaction unresponsive to medical therapy, as atypical anatomical variants may underlie apparent treatment failure and require intervention beyond standard management protocols. Additionally, awareness that AC can coexist with secondary large intestinal displacement should inform differential diagnosis and prognostic counselling when congenital colonic anomalies are suspected in neonates presenting with acute colic.

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Key Findings

• •An 18-hour-old foal with Type 3 atresia coli (colon ending at left ventral colon) presented with suspected meconium impaction unresponsive to medical treatment.
• •A 1,080° large colon volvulus at the sternal flexure was identified at post-mortem examination.
• •Atresia coli may predispose neonatal foals to development of large colon volvulus.

Conditions Studied

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