Bilateral intraocular glandular choristomas in a Thoroughbred foal

Intraocular choristomas are rare anomalies in domestic animals and are often associated with multiple ocular malformations. A Thoroughbred foal presented for ocular abnormalities and was diagnosed with microphthalmia, corneal dermoids, severe anterior segment dysgenesis (including glandular choristomas), aphakia, retinal dysplasia, and optic nerve hypoplasia. Morphological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical comparisons were made between ocular choristomatous tissues from this foal and lacrimal gland, third eyelid gland, nasopharynx, trachea, and lacrimal sac/nasolacrimal duct from normal horses. Morphologically the choristomatous tissues (glands and epithelium lining the anterior segment) were most similar to the lacrimal sac. Histochemistry of glandular components found the glands associated with the lacrimal sac/nasolacrimal duct to be serous, as was the glandular intraocular choristomas. Our findings suggest that the origin of intraocular glandular choristomas in this case is from the lacrimal sac.     

A nasal dermoid sinus in an English bull terrier

A five-year-old, entire female English bull terrier was presented with a six-week history of intermittent facial swelling and nasal pain, following an incident of nasal trauma. A small opening was present at the mucocutaneous junction on the dorsal nasal planum. Examination under general anaesthesia allowed catheterisation of this opening and confirmed the presence of a tract passing caudally. Plain radiographic examination of the region was unremarkable. Positive contrast sinography demonstrated contrast material filling a midline tract that passed caudally and subcutaneously towards the nasal bone. This tract was surgically excised. Histopathological examination of the excised tissue, together with the clinical findings, led to the diagnosis of nasal dermoid sinus.     

Cosmetic rostral nasal reconstruction after nasal planum and premaxilla resection: technique and results in two dogs

Objective— To describe a novel reconstructive technique after nasal planum and premaxilla resection.
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— Dogs (n=2) with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal planum.
Methods— A 9-year-old neutered female Labrador retriever (dog 1) and an 11–year-old neutered male Golden retriever (dog 2) had resection of the nasal planum and premaxilla for treatment of locally invasive SCC. Reconstruction of a nasal planum facsimile was based on use of the nonhaired pigmented margins of bilateral labial mucocutaneous rotation-advancement flaps.
Results— Reconstruction of the premaxilla by construction of a nasal planum facsimile resulted in uncomplicated wound healing and improved cosmesis. There was no tumor recurrence at 1290 (dog 1) and 210 (dog 2) days after surgery.
Conclusion— Reconstruction of a nasal planum facsimile was successfully performed without complications in 2 dogs with high owner satisfaction with cosmetic appearance.
Clinical Relevance— This technique represents a significant advancement in surgical cosmetic outcome, may potentially reduce postoperative complications, and should be considered for dogs requiring nasal reconstruction after nasal planum resection with premaxillectomy.     

Nasal dermoid cyst extending through the frontal bone with no sinus tract in a Dalmatian

A Dalmatian was presented with a subcutaneous swelling in the dorsal midline between the eyes. No opening in the skin was identified at the dorsal nasal planum and there was no discharge. Positive contrast sinography showed contrast material filling a cyst that extended to the frontal bone. At surgery, the cyst had a tubular shape and was embedded in a fibrous dermal tissue strand running into the bony nasal septum. The nasal dermoid sinus cyst was surgically removed by limited dorsal rhinotomy, followed by excision of the remaining strand from a bony recess in the lamina perpendicularis ethmoidalis. It is proposed that this nasal dermoid cyst that extends through the frontal bone with no sinus tract is classified as a type V subtype c.     

Direct immunofluorescence testing of normal feline nasal planum and footpad

Direct immunofluorescence testing for IgG, IgM, and C3 was performed on nasal planum and footpad tissue from 28 normal cats. Granular deposition of IgM at the basement membrane zone of the nasal planum was demonstrated in 3 of 28 cats. Direct immunofluorescence testing of the footpad was negative in all cats. It was concluded that positive direct immunofluorescence testing of the feline nasal planum using antifeline IgM needs to be cautiously interpreted, as 11% of normal cats may be positive.     

Use of the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in a cat.

A mature castrated male domestic shorthair cat was referred for treatment of an excoriated, ulcerated area on the nasal planum. Undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. Surgical resection of the nasal planum was not an option, so the lesion was treated 4 times with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. Laser surgery results in uniform photovaporization of large volumes of tissue. Although treatment with laser does not yield tissue specimens suitable for histologic evaluation, it can result in a cosmetically suitable appearance and can extend the predicted life span. A diagnosis of undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma has a guarded prognosis: however, the cat of this report survived more than 18 months.     

Cutaneous fibropapilloma in a mountain lion (Felis concolor).

A 12-yr-old mountain lion (Felis concolor) developed a 0.5-cm3 raised nonpigmented and nonulcerated mass between the lip and the nasal planum. The tumor was surgically removed and diagnosed histologically as a fibropapilloma. The tumor recurred 1 yr later, at which time it was again excised, and the diagnosis was reconfirmed by biopsy. Frozen tissue from the second excision was submitted for polymerase chain reaction testing for papillomavirus. The 176-base pair polymerase chain reaction product recovered from the tumor was cloned and sequenced. The papillomavirus had 96% homology with a papillomavirus previously retrieved from a fibropapilloma in a domestic cat and is the next most closely related to bovine papillomavirus type 1. This is the first report of a virus-associated fibropapilloma in a mountain lion.     

Nasal planum reconstruction after tumour resection using a lip-to-nose flap in a dog

Here we describe the use of a novel lip-to-nose flap technique for nasal planum reconstruction after tumour removal in a dog. A mast cell tumour involving the nasal planum was first resected by removing the roof and the wing of the left nasal vestibule. An interpolation subdermal plexus flap was derived from the left caudal lip with vascular contribution from the lateral nasal artery. This lip-to-nose flap was rotated into the defect via a bridging incision. The mucocutaneous junction of the lip was used to emulate the keratinised nasal planum and the buccal mucosa was sutured to be congruent with the mucosa of the vestibule. This resulted in the lip-to-nose flap successfully closing the surgical defect and giving an aesthetic appearance similar to the original nasal planum.     

Intranasal epidermoid cyst causing upper airway obstruction in three brachycephalic dogs

This case report describes three brachycephalic dogs with intranasal epidermoid cysts that were causing additional upper airway obstruction. Although epidermoid cysts have been described in several locations in dogs, to the authors’ knowledge intranasal epidermoid cysts have not been previously reported. All dogs had mucopurulent to haemorrhagic nasal discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed the presence of unilateral or bilateral intranasal cystic lesions obstructing the nasal cavities partially or completely, with atrophy of the ipsilateral nasal turbinates. The cystic lesions were surgically excised in all dogs using a modified lateral alveolar mucosal approach to the affected nasal cavity. Aerobic, anaerobic and fungal culture of the cystic contents were negative and histology of the excised tissue was consistent with a benign intranasal epidermoid cyst in each dog. Upper airway obstruction was clinically improved in two dogs.     

True cementomas (cementoblastomas) associated with a nonvital left maxillary second premolar in an 11‐year‐old miniature horse

An 11‐year‐old miniature horse gelding presented for a left maxillary facial swelling and surgical removal of 2 ovoid mineralised masses located near the tooth roots of the left maxillary second and third premolars. Preoperative radiographs were performed to triangulate the location of the calcified masses for removal, and an oral examination revealed that the left maxillary second premolar was nonvital with multiple feed‐packed pulp exposures. Both the radiographs and oral examination indicated that the mineralised masses were associated with the nonvital second premolar. Therefore, the tooth was extracted intraorally, and the masses were removed via a maxillary trephine dorsal to the extracted tooth. Both masses were submitted for histopathology, which diagnosed the masses as true cementomas (cementoblastomas) with adenomatous hyperplasia of the surrounding nasal glandular tissue.     

Combined Resection of the Nasal Planum and Premaxilla in Three Dogs

Surgical techniques for removal of tumors that affect the nasal planum or the premaxilla have been described. For extensively invasive malignancies, these techniques may be inadequate if used alone to achieve wide surgical margins. An operative technique that combines resection of the nasal planum and premaxilla has been developed for extensive malignant tumors of the nasal planum or premaxilla. This technique was used in three dogs and resulted in an acceptable cosmetic appearance and good function and tumor control. Complications after surgery included minor bleeding and partial dehiseence of the suture lines in two dogs and stenosis of the nasal orifice in one dog.     

Naturally occurring nasal obstructions in 11 sheep

Eleven adult sheep of various breeds were examined due to inspiratory dyspnea. Fiberoptic examinations conducted in 8 of the sheep revealed masses to be obstructing the nasal passages. Identification of the masses through histopathologic examination showed 7 to be adenocarcinomas, 1 a papillary adenoma, and 4 were cases of glandular hyperplasia with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration (nasal polyps). One ewe had both an adenocarcinoma and a polyp. Surgical removal of the masses was attempted on 6 of the sheep. Four of the 6 surgically-treated sheep have survived between 2 mo. - 2 years without recurrence of the obstruction.     

Immunohistochemical detection of virus antigen in the nasal planum of rabid dogs

The rabies virus is one of the most neurotropic of all viruses infecting mammals. During the terminal phases of infection, the virus spreads to peripheral tissues, including the skin. The external skin of the nose, called the nasal planum, is a sensory organ where numerous nerve bundles and terminal nerves are distributed. Therefore, the nasal planum is expected to serve as a postmortem diagnostic material. However, the distribution of rabies virus antigens in the nasal planum in rabid animals has not yet been studied. In this study, the nasal planum was obtained from 45 rabid dogs. In all rabid dogs, the viral antigen was detected in the peripheral nerve tissues, Merkel cells, and squamous cells. The viral antigen in the epidermis exhibited three patterns: first, a diffuse positive pattern from the basal layer to the squamous layer; second, a reticular positive pattern along the cell membrane in the squamous layer; and third, a basal layer pattern of the epidermis. In the dermis, viral antigens were detected more often in lamellated corpuscles just beneath the rete pegs. These results suggest that the nasal planum could serve as a useful alternative source for postmortem diagnosis in rabies endemic countries.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—URINARY BLADDER DUPLICATION IN A CAT

A female kitten presented for chronic, intermittent, antibiotic‐responsive urinary incontinence and chronic kidney disease. Abdominal ultrasound identified bilateral pelvic/ureteral dilation and three closely apposed thin‐walled fluid‐filled structures in the caudal abdomen, extending toward the pelvic inlet. Excretory urography and negative contrast cystography identified contrast medium accumulation from the dilated ureters into two tubular soft tissue masses of the caudal abdomen, with subsequent gradual filling of a more cranially located urinary bladder. A retrograde vaginocystourethrogram identified a normal uterus, normal vagina, and a single urethra continuous with the cranially located urinary bladder. Antemortem diagnosis was suspicious for bilateral ectopic ureteroceles. Postmortem diagnosis, 35 months following initial presentation, determined the fluid‐filled masses to have abundant smooth muscle in the wall, including a muscularis mucosa connected by a common ostium, consistent with urinary bladder duplication. Urinary bladder duplication should be included as a differential diagnosis in cats with these clinical and imaging characteristics. In this case, differentiation of ectopic ureterocele from urinary bladder duplication required histological confirmation.     

Nasal and ocular amyloidosis in a 15-year-old horse

Localized nasal, conjunctival and corneal amyloidosis was diagnosed in a 15-year-old pony with nasal and conjunctival masses and severe dyspnoea. Multiple swellings had been evident in the nostrils for at least two years and had gradually increased in size before presentation due to dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Surgical debulking of the masses was performed and histological examination revealed large amounts of extracellular, hyaline, eosinophilic, Congo red positive material in the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa. A tentative diagnosis of localized nasal amyloidosis was made. The treatment relieved the clinical signs, however, the nasal masses recurred and bilateral conjunctival, papillary masses developed. The horse was euthanized. Nodular nasal and papillary conjunctival masses consisting of rubbery, grey to yellow tissue were found at necropsy. At the limbus this tissue infiltrated and expanded the cornea. The masses consisted of amyloid and moderate infiltrates of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes were present in the tissue. No predominance of either cell type was observed and no distinct neoplastic mass could be identified. Ultrastructural examination of the nasal mucosa and cornea confirmed the presence of abundant extracellular deposits of non-branching fibrils ranging from 9–11 nm in diameter consistent with amyloid. Immunohistochemistry of amyloid revealed no labelling for AA amyloid, and no peptides representing serum amyloid A (SAA) were detected by microscopic laser dissection and subsequent mass spectrometry. Peptides from immunoglobulin kappa-like light chains were detected and are suggestive of AL amyloidosis, however the results were inconclusive and a final identification of the amyloid protein could not be made.Nasal amyloidosis is a clinical entity of localized amyloid deposits in the horse. Localized amyloidosis involving the conjunctiva of the horse is previously described in only seven cases and the present case is the first case of combined, localized nasal and corneal amyloidosis in the horse. In several reported cases surgical excision has provided clinical improvement and return to normal levels of exercise, while medical treatment has had no effect. The present case however, shows that rapid recurrence and progression of nasal amyloidosis to involve ocular tissues can occur and lead to recurrent respiratory obstruction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-014-0050-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Ectopic Tissue Consisting of a Mixture of Glandular Gastric,Intestinal, and Exocrine Pancreatic Tissue in the Forestomach of a Rat

The development of ectopic gastric, intestinal, or pancreatic tissue in the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare in rats, although it is fairly common in humans. In this report, we describe an unusual case in which a mixture of different types of ectopic tissue was found in the forestomach of a rat. A solitary white nodular/polypoid structure, which measured 5 mm in size, was detected on the luminal surface of the greater curvature of the forestomach in an 8-week-old female Crl:CD(SD) rat. A histological examination revealed that the lesion contained ectopic glandular gastric tissue, including gastric surface mucous cells, parietal cells, and pyloric gland cells, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, the lesion also contained villin-positive columnar intestinal absorptive cells and chymotrypsin-positive pancreatic exocrine tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to detect a mixture of ectopic glandular gastric, intestinal, and exocrine pancreatic tissue in a rat.     

Photodynamic therapy of feline superficial squamous cell carcinoma using topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid

A study was undertaken to investigate the treatment of superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum, pinna and eyelid in cats by photodynamic therapy, using topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid cream, with subsequent exposure to red light of wavelength 635 nm, supplied by a light-emitting diode source. A total of 13 squamous cell carcinomas were treated, including 10 nasal planum lesions, two pinnal lesions and one eyelid lesion. After a single treatment, complete responses were seen in nine out of 10 nasal planum lesions, one out of two pinnal lesions and the eyelid lesion. The overall complete response rate for lesions managed with a single photodynamic therapy treatment was 85 per cent. Seven of the 11 lesions (63.6 per cent) showing a complete response subsequently recurred; the time to recurrence ranged from 19 to 56 weeks (median 21 weeks, mean 26.7 weeks).     

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts in the dog

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and morphologic characteristics of nasal dermoid sinus cysts in the dog. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Six client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records (1995 to 1999) of 6 dogs that had a discharging sinus in the midline of the nose removed surgically were reviewed for signalment, physical examination, surgical and histopathologic findings, and outcome. RESULTS: Three golden retrievers, 1 springer spaniel, 1 cocker spaniel, and 1 Brittany spaniel with a history of intermittent discharge from a small opening in the midline on the bridge of the nose at the junction between the nasal planum and the skin were identified. The condition was unresponsive to antibiotic therapy, and previous surgical excision had been unsuccessful in 3 dogs. None of the dogs had any other congenital defects, and all dogs responded to complete surgical excision of the tract and cyst. On histopathologic examination of excised tissue, there were adnexal structures along a tract lined with stratified squamous epithelium, consistent with a developmental abnormality of ectodermal tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The lesions were diagnosed as nasal dermoid sinus cysts, similar to the congenital condition described in humans. Nasal dermoid sinus cysts are rare developmental defects related to abnormal development of the pre-nasal space and may extend into the cranial vault causing cerebral abscesses or recurrent meningitis. Complete surgical excision has a good prognosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is a new condition that should be added to the surgical differential diagnosis for a discharging sinus over the external nares in dogs.     

Uveodermatologic syndrome in a rat terrier

A 4 yr old intact male rat terrier presented with severe bilateral nonresponsive panuveitis. Bilateral uveitis, blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, diffuse corneal edema, peripheral bullous retinal detachment, and secondary ocular hypertension were noted. Ocular lesions progressed despite aggressive medical treatment and were followed by cutaneous depigmentation and crusting along the nasal planum. Intensive oral and topical anti-inflammatory and topical antiglaucoma medications were administered, but the ocular disease progressed. A bilateral enucleation was performed. Uveodermatologic syndrome was diagnosed from histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy as well as histopathology of both globes after bilateral enucleation. To maintain control of the dermatologic lesions, oral azathioprine was initiated, but it was not well tolerated by this patient. Immunosuppressive doses of oral cyclosporine and anti-inflammatory doses of oral prednisone were used to control the depigmentation and crusting skin lesions.