Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Laparoscopic diagnosis of subcapsular splenic hematoma in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Mehl, M L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Quarter Horse was seen by a veterinarian after showing signs of belly pain from a training accident. The horse had pale gums and a slow capillary refill time, which indicates poor blood circulation. Blood tests showed low red blood cell levels, and a procedure to check the abdomen revealed a mix of blood and fluid. An ultrasound showed a large mass near the spleen, but the vets needed more information to tell if it was a subcapsular hematoma (a type of blood collection under the spleen's outer layer) or something else. They performed a minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopy while the horse was standing, which confirmed it was indeed a subcapsular splenic hematoma. This procedure helped the veterinarian assess the situation better and decide on the best treatment options.
Abstract
A 5-year-old Quarter Horse was examined after it developed signs of abdominal discomfort as a result of a training accident. Oral mucous membranes were pale, and capillary refill time was > 3 seconds. Hematologically, the PCV was low, and abdominocentesis yielded a serosanguineous fluid. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and revealed a large hypoechoic mass associated with the cranial margin of the spleen. Because differentiation between subcapsular hematoma and extracapsular hematoma could not be made with certainty, further evaluation of the spleen was indicated. Abdominal laparoscopy was performed, with the horse standing, to evaluate the extent, severity, and nature of the splenic hematoma. Laparoscopic examination revealed a 7.5-cm-diameter splenic hematoma contained within the splenic capsule, confirming the diagnosis of subcapsular splenic hematoma. Abdominal laparoscopy provided excellent observation of the spleen and allowed for thorough evaluation and determination of the extent of the lesion. This information aided the clinician in reaching a definitive diagnosis and choosing between splenectomy and medical treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9787387/