Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Esophageal phytobezoar in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- MacDonald, M H et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 23-year-old Thoroughbred stallion was taken to the hospital because he was having trouble swallowing due to a blockage in his esophagus. Tests showed that there was a mass of feed material stuck in his esophagus, which was causing serious damage to the tissue. Unfortunately, the horse was euthanized, and a closer examination revealed that the blockage had formed in a pouch-like area of the esophagus. This blockage was likely caused by a buildup of plant material that had become dislodged and was blocking the esophagus.
Abstract
A 23-year-old Thoroughbred stallion was admitted to the hospital for treatment of acute esophageal obstruction. Clinical examination and contrast radiography confirmed the presence of an esophageal obstruction. The horse was euthanatized, and examination revealed a bolus of feed material occluding the esophageal lumen 6 cm caudal to the thoracic inlet, with underlying necrosis of the esophageal mucosa. A large pulsion diverticulum was identified in the caudocervical portion of the esophagus. Apparently, the phytobezoar was formed within the esophageal diverticulum and subsequently became dislodged, occluding the esophagus.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3692995/