Abdominal Sonographic Evaluation: In the Field, at the Hospital, and After Surgery.
Authors: Cristobal Navas de Solis, M. Coleman
Journal: The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Abdominal Sonographic Evaluation in Equine Colic Ultrasonography has become integral to equine colic assessment across multiple settings, from field evaluation through to post-operative monitoring, with practitioners from general practice to specialist disciplines now routinely deploying the technique to guide clinical decision-making. Navas de Solis and Coleman's 2023 review synthesises current best practice in abdominal sonography, examining both established protocols and emerging technical developments whilst clarifying the clinical interpretation of findings in acute emergency presentations and chronic or recurrent colic cases. The authors provide comprehensive guidance on indications for imaging, helping practitioners determine when sonographic evaluation will meaningfully influence management decisions in their specific circumstances. For farriers and equine rehabilitation professionals, understanding the diagnostic landscape—particularly how ultrasonography influences surgical versus conservative treatment pathways—facilitates more informed collaboration with veterinary teams and appropriate management expectations for clients. This resource updates practitioners on contemporary sonographic findings and technical advances, ensuring that whether working ambulatory or in hospital settings, ultrasound interrogation of the acute colic abdomen or assessment of chronic cases reflects current evidence and clinical best practice.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Abdominal ultrasound should be a core diagnostic tool in your colic workup whether you're in ambulatory practice or hospital settings—learn the technique and key normal/abnormal findings
- •Sonography helps differentiate types of colic and guides treatment decisions, reducing unnecessary surgery and improving outcomes for referred cases
- •Stay current with recent developments in sonographic technique as the field continues to evolve and improve diagnostic accuracy
Key Findings
- •Abdominal sonography is a routine diagnostic procedure for colic evaluation in both emergency and non-emergency settings
- •Sonography is applicable across multiple disciplines and practice settings including ambulatory, hospital, and specialist environments
- •Clinical interpretation of sonographic findings is essential for appropriate management of acute and chronic colic cases
- •Recent developments in abdominal sonography technique and technology continue to improve diagnostic capabilities