Advanced equine duodenoscopy technique.
Authors: Agrícola R, Ribeiro G, Borges J, Carvalho L, Roquet I, Carvalho L M, Prazeres J
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Duodenal pathology in horses remains poorly characterised in clinical practice—not because these conditions are rare, but because standard gastroduodenoscopy cannot adequately visualise the cranial duodenum and pyloric sphincter region. Agrícola and colleagues developed and validated an advanced duodenoscopic technique incorporating a controlled retroflexion manoeuvre performed after reaching the cranial duodenum, enabling comprehensive examination of the duodenal surface of the pyloric sphincter and anterior duodenal wall in 60 clinical cases. This innovation eliminates the blind spots inherent to conventional approaches whilst maintaining mucosal safety, providing a significantly expanded field of view of previously inaccessible anatomy. For practitioners investigating suspected gastroduodenal disease—whether presenting as poor performance, recurrent colic, or weight loss—the expanded diagnostic capability could substantially improve case resolution and targeted management. The technique represents a meaningful advance in equine gastroenterology, particularly valuable for distinguishing primary duodenal pathology from secondary gastric disease.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •If you suspect duodenal disease in a horse, request duodenoscopy from a facility experienced with this advanced retroflexion technique, as standard gastroscopy misses significant pathology in this region
- •This technique may improve diagnostic yield for horses with gastroduodenal signs that have normal findings on conventional endoscopy
- •The procedure is safe when performed by trained endoscopists and does not cause mucosal damage
Key Findings
- •A novel retroflexion duodenoscopy technique enables complete visualization of the duodenal face of the pyloric sphincter and cranial duodenum, regions inaccessible via standard techniques
- •The technique was successfully performed in 60 adult horses without mucosal lesions to adjacent tissue
- •The retroflexion maneuver provides a wide field of view and eliminates blind spots in duodenal examination