Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiographic diameter of the colon in normal and constipated cats and in cats with megacolon.
- Journal:
- Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Trevail, Tim et al.
- Affiliation:
- Institute of Comparative Medicine · United Kingdom
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Researchers looked at X-rays of 50 healthy cats to figure out what a normal colon size looks like. They also examined 13 cats with constipation and 26 cats with megacolon, which is a serious condition where the colon becomes very enlarged. They found that measuring the size of the colon compared to a specific vertebra (L5) was the best way to tell if a cat's colon was normal or if it had megacolon. A ratio of less than 1.28 suggests a normal colon, while a ratio greater than 1.48 indicates megacolon. This study helps veterinarians better understand colon sizes in cats and make more accurate diagnoses.
Abstract
Radiographs of 50 cats with no history of gastrointestinal disease were evaluated to establish a normal reference range for radiographic diameter of the feline colon. Thirteen cats with constipation and 26 with megacolon were also evaluated and compared with the normal cats to characterize the accuracy of the reference range and to identify a cutoff to distinguish constipation from megacolon. A ratio of maximal diameter of the colon to L5 length was the most repeatable and accurate measurement. A ratio <1.28 is a strong indicator of a normal colon (sensitivity 96%, specificity 87%). A value >1.48 is a good indicator of megacolon (sensitivity 77%, specificity 85%).
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21599794/