Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The pathology of a case of biliary atresia in a foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Bastianello, S S & Nesbit, J W
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4-week-old American Saddler foal was found to have biliary atresia, a condition where the bile ducts are blocked or absent, leading to liver problems. The foal showed signs of liver failure, and during the autopsy, the liver was found to be very enlarged and had a mottled appearance. There were also signs of fluid buildup in the abdomen and around the heart, along with swelling in the body. The diagnosis was confirmed by examining the liver tissue, which showed changes typical of this condition. Unfortunately, the treatment options for this serious condition were not effective, and the foal did not survive.
Abstract
The pathological features of biliary atresia in a foal are described. A 4-week-old American Saddler foal was presented for autopsy following an illness characterised by clinical features indicative of hepatic failure. The significant macroscopical lesions occurred in the liver which was extremely enlarged, mottled in appearance and indurated. Bile stasis was evident. Lobular distinction was absent and on sectioning, large bile ducts were absent. A moderate ascites, hydrothorax and hydropericardium and a mild anasarca and intermuscular oedema accompanied the hepatic lesion. The diagnosis of biliary atresia was determined by the histo-pathological features of bile duct proliferation and extensive replacement fibrosis. The condition is compared to extrahepatic and intrahepatic biliary atresia of man and evidence is presented for regarding this case to be one of extrahepatic origin.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3681885/