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This retrospective case series describes imaging findings in seven dogs and two cats with a presumptive diagnosis of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) between 2014 and 2021. Peritoneal effusion was present in all animal patients. Sonographically, echogenic fluid with or without echogenic intraperitoneal septations, gathered or corrugated bowel loops, and abdominal lymphadenomegaly were suggesting an inflammatory process and the presence of adhesions. Gathering of the bowel with abdominal distension and/or signs of intestinal obstruction were major findings on radiographs. Abdominal fat stranding was an additional finding in animals undergoing a CT examination. Previous surgery, pregnancy, and the presence of a perforating foreign body were potential predisposing causes in 4/9 animals. Peritonitis was septic in 4/9 animals. As SEP is a rare condition but life threatening, this detailed description of imaging findings in a short case series can be useful for a presumptive diagnosis and surgical planning.
RESUMO
Background: Human autologous serum (AS) and umbilical cord serum (UCS) both contain growth and neurotrophic factors that promote corneal healing. Aim: Our objectives were to compare equine AS and UCS cytokine and growth factor profiles and to assess the safety and clinical feasibility of the therapeutic use of UCS eye drops in cases of spontaneous complex ulcers. Study Design: Prospective clinical trial. Methods: Vitamin A insulin growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, interferon-γ, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 concentrations were determined in 10 AS collected from different horses and 10 UCS sampled at delivery. Six client-owned horses presenting with complex non-healing corneal defects of >5 mm2 were included in a clinical trial and treated with conventional therapy and conditioned UCS drops for 8-15 days. Ulcer surface and time to complete epithelialization were recorded. Results: Median concentrations of vitamin A, insulin growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor-BB were not significantly different in AS compared with UCS (respectively, 14.5 vs. 12.05 µg/ml; 107.8 vs. 107.3 pg/ml; and 369.1 vs. 924.2 pg/ml). TGF-ß1 median concentration in UCS was significantly higher than in AS (3,245 vs. 2571pg/ml) (p = 0.04). IL-1ß, IL-6, interferon-γ, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 concentrations were variable in AS and undetectable in UCS. The corneal median ulcerative area was 37.2 mm2 (6.28-57.14 mm2) and had a duration of 4-186 days (median 19 days). All lesions healed within 13-42 days (median 17 days). No adverse effects nor recurrences within 1 month were noticed. Limitations: The sample size was small. Spontaneous corneal epithelial defects presented with variable clinical characteristics. There were no age-matched control horses to assess corneal healing time and rate. Conclusion and Clinical Significance: Equine UCS may be beneficial, as it contains no pro-inflammatory cytokines and a greater concentration of TGF-ß1 compared with AS. Topical UCS appears safe and may potentially be used as adjunctive therapy for equine complex non-healing ulcers.
