Begeman L, St Leger J A, Blyde D J, Jauniaux T P, Lair S, Lovewell G, Raverty S, Seibel H, Siebert U, Staggs S L, Martelli P, Keesler R I
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, Netherlands.
Vet Pathol. 2013 Jul;50(4):590-6. doi: 10.1177/0300985812465327. Epub 2012 Nov 13.
Intestinal volvulus was recognized as the cause of death in 18 cetaceans, including 8 species of toothed whales (suborder Odontoceti). Cases originated from 11 institutions from around the world and included both captive (n = 9) and free-ranging (n = 9) animals. When the clinical history was available (n = 9), animals consistently demonstrated acute dullness 1 to 5 days prior to death. In 3 of these animals (33%), there was a history of chronic gastrointestinal illness. The pathological findings were similar to those described in other animal species and humans, and consisted of intestinal volvulus and a well-demarcated segment of distended, congested, and edematous intestine with gas and bloody fluid contents. Associated lesions included congested and edematous mesentery and mesenteric lymph nodes, and often serofibrinous or hemorrhagic abdominal effusion. The volvulus involved the cranial part of the intestines in 85% (11 of 13). Potential predisposing causes were recognized in most cases (13 of 18, 72%) but were variable. Further studies investigating predisposing factors are necessary to help prevent occurrence and enhance early clinical diagnosis and management of the condition.
肠扭转被确认为18头鲸类动物的死因，其中包括8种齿鲸（鲸目齿鲸亚目）。这些病例来自全球11家机构，包括圈养动物（n = 9）和自由放养动物（n = 9）。当有临床病史时（n = 9），动物在死亡前1至5天持续表现出急性精神沉郁。在这些动物中有3头（33%）有慢性胃肠道疾病史。病理结果与其他动物物种和人类中描述的相似，包括肠扭转以及一段界限分明的扩张、充血和水肿的肠段，内含气体和血性液体。相关病变包括充血和水肿的肠系膜及肠系膜淋巴结，且常伴有浆液纤维蛋白性或出血性腹腔积液。85%（13例中的11例）的肠扭转累及肠的头端部分。大多数病例（18例中的13例，72%）可识别出潜在的诱发因素，但各不相同。有必要进一步研究诱发因素，以帮助预防该病的发生，并加强对该病的早期临床诊断和管理。
