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RADIOGRAPHIC DIAMETER OF THE COLON IN NORMAL AND CONSTIPATED CATS AND IN CATS WITH MEGACOLON |
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| Authors: | TIM TREVAIL DANIELLE GUNN‐MOORE INÉS CARRERA EMILY COURCIER MARTIN SULLIVAN |
| Institution: | 1. Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G61 1QH, UK;2. Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Hospital for Small Animals, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland EH25 9RG, UK |
| 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%). |
| Keywords: | cat constipation feline megacolon obstipation radiographic colon diameter |