Name
Computed tomographic diagnosis of large intestinal obstruction caused by fecaliths in rabbits
Speakers
Description
Computed tomography was shown to be able to diagnose small intestinal obstruction caused by trichobezoars in rabbits. Large intestinal obstructions are less common, more subtle and lack well defined imaging characteristics. We searched [XXX] records for rabbits diagnosed with large intestinal obstruction caused by fecaliths from 7/15/22 until 12/17/25. We retrieved 21 reports. Of these, 16 were excluded because not pertinent, and 1 was excluded because the large intestinal obstruction was caused by a granuloma. Four cases were included in this case series. All cases had a diagnosis of large intestinal obstruction on computed tomography which was confirmed via surgical exploration. The fecaliths appeared as heterogeneous soft tissue, fluid, and gas attenuating structures with peripheral hyperattenuation. In three cases, the fecaliths were ovoid, in the colon, 2 to 3 cm in size. The large intestine orad to the fecalith, including the cecum, was distended with fluid, and large intestine aborad was normal in size. In one case, the fecalith appeared as a tubular structure in the distal colon/rectum, without significant gas distension of the large intestinal tract. This rabbit was suspected to have a rectal stricture during surgical exploration. The fecalith was gently milked through the anus. The rabbit initially improved but died four days after surgery. All three rabbits with colonic obstructions underwent enterotomy for removal of the fecalith; two survived long term, and one died during recovery. Rabbit fecaliths have peculiar imaging characteristics upon computed tomography and this modality should be considered for the diagnosis of this condition.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)