Acrylic cranioplasty and axial pattern flap following calvarial and cerebral mass excision in a dog

A 4 kg Chihuahua was presented with seizures and a large mass on his dorsal cranium. The mass had regrown after two previous attempts to remove it. Histological examination had shown the mass to be a multilobular osteochondroma (osteochondrosarcoma). A CT scan revealed destruction of the dorsal cranial bones by the mass and compression of cerebral cortex. A craniotomy was performed to excise the mass and attached skin, leaving a large deficit of calvarial bone and skin. A cranioplasty was performed in situ, using polypropylene mesh and polymethyl methacrylate. A caudal auricular axial pattern flap was placed directly over the cranioplasty to fill the skin defect. This unusual reconstruction resulted in good recovery, function and cosmetic effect, although tumour regrowth was seen within the cerebral cortex.     

Diagnosis of a uterine leiomyoma using hysteroscopy and a partial ovariohysterectomy in a mare

A 14-year-old quarter horse mare had a 2-year history of infertility and the presence of a mass in the right uterine horn. Prior to surgery, the mass was determined to be invasive by using ultrasonography and hysteroscopy. A partial ovariohysterectomy was performed. The mass was diagnosed histologically as a uterine leiomyoma.     

Primary extraskeletal hepatic osteosarcoma in a cat

A 13-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat with an abdominal mass was evaluated; radiography revealed a radiopaque mass in the cranioventral region of the abdomen. A celiotomy was performed, and the mass was identified histologically as a hepatic osteosarcoma. Complete remission of the tumor was accomplished after partial hepatectomy and adjuvant treatment with carboplatin.     

Diagnosis of an Abdominal Splenosis in a Case of Ambulatory Paraparesis of the Hind Limbs in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 2-year-old spayed female ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with a 2-day history of ambulatory paraparesis of the hind limbs. On physical examination a mass was palpated in the cranial abdominal region, caudal to the stomach. A complete blood cell count revealed a normocytic normochromic anemia and reactive lymphocytes. A hypoechoic abdominal mass was observed during an ultrasound examination of the abdomen. An exploratory laparotomy was recommended and performed during which a pyramidal mass resembling a lobe of fatty liver tissue, plus omental torsion, was removed. The histopathologic diagnosis of the surgically removed mass was splenosis. The abdominal pain and ambulatory paraparesis resolved after surgery, which suggests that the paraparesis was due to pain. The findings in this report indicate that splenosis should be included as a differential diagnosis when a ferret presents with an abdominal mass and acute abdominal pain.     

Prostatic carcinoma causing urethral obstruction and obstipation in a cat

A 9-year-old intact male cat was presented for vomiting and straining to defecate. A large abdominal mass was palpated. The urinary bladder was full and non-expressible. Exploratory laparotomy revealed that the mass was compressing the colon and encircling the urethra caudal to the bladder. The mass was removed, the urethra transected, and the urinary bladder marsupialized to the ventral abdominal wall to allow urine drainage. Histopathologic examination of the mass revealed a prostatic carcinoma. The cat died approximately 6 weeks after removal of the mass. This is the first reported case of a prostatic carcinoma causing urethral obstruction and obstipation in a cat.     

Surgical removal of a canine orbital lipoma

A 10-year-old, female, neutered Cairn terrier was presented with a progressively enlarging, cream-white fluctuant subconjunctival swelling in the right eye. A fine-needle aspirate performed under topical anaesthesia showed that the mass contained lipomatous tissue. Orbital ultrasonography showed the mass to have a distinct border and to extend into the posterior orbit. The mass was removed via a conjunctival incision. It had a distinct capsule anteriorly, while the border of the mass was less readily identified in the posterior orbit. Histopathological examination showed the mass to be a lipoma. The dog recovered uneventfully from surgery, and no recurrence has been noted after 12 months.     

Perirenal expanding haematoma in a cat

A four-year-old, entire male domestic cat was referred for assessment of a large abdominal mass of three-weeks duration. Diagnostic imaging suggested the presence of either splenic neoplasia, an abdominal abscess or haematoma. A coeliotomy was performed and an enlarged, irregular mass, including the left kidney and adrenal gland, was identified. The mass was removed, requiring a left adrenalo-uretero-nephrectomy. The aorta was accidentally punctured during the procedure, resulting in paraplegia. Given a poor prognosis, the owners decided to have the cat euthanased. Histological examination of the mass was characteristic of a chronic expanding haematoma.     

Urinary obstruction secondary to an ossifying fibroma of the os penis in a dog

A 13-year-old, 25-kg, castrated male border collie was referred for evaluation of pollakiuria, stranguria, and a decreased urine stream. A calcified periurethral mass near the caudal aspect of the os penis was identified on survey abdominal radiographs. A retrograde contrast urethrocystogram demonstrated that the mass was compressing the penile urethra. The mass was surgically resected. A histopathological diagnosis of an ossifying fibroma of the os penis was made. This report describes an atypical presentation of a rare tumor, an ossifying fibroma, that caused a urinary obstruction in a male dog. A review of the incidence, histopathological features, and behavior of ossifying fibromas is included.     

Intracranial metastases from an ovarian dysgerminoma in a 2-year-old dog.

A 2-year-old, intact female rottweiler was presented for signs of lethargy. A mass was ultrasonographically observed, cranial and lateral to the left kidney. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a mass in the left ovary that was diagnosed histopathologically as an ovarian dysgerminoma. Two weeks after surgery, the dog was readmitted with signs of peripheral vestibular disease that progressed to central vestibular disease. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed the presence of a mass in the caudal fossa. The histopathological diagnosis of the mass was metastases from the ovarian dysgerminoma.     

A giant parovarian cyst in a dog with a granulosa cell tumor

A 13-year old intact female poodle showed persistent signs of estrus. Ultrasonographically, a large cystic mass containing echogenic fluid with a thin wall was observed, and it was 8 cm in diameter. The cystic mass was located at the mesovarium between the left ovary and uterine horn, and it was identified as a giant parovarian cyst. A right ovarian mass was histologically diagnosed as a granulosa cell tumor. Persistent estrogen hormone secretion by the granulosa cell tumor was thought to cause a rapid increase in the size of the parovarian cyst. This rare cystic mass originated from the genital system and was differentiated from the uterus.     

Surgical management of a subepiglottic thyroglossal duct cyst in a dog

A 2 yr old dog presented for dysphagia and coughing secondary to a 4 cm × 4 cm turgid subepiglottic mass. Cervical radiographs, an esophagram, and computed tomography confirmed the presence of a cystic mass that was not intimately associated with any surrounding structures. An incisional biopsy confirmed the cystic nature of the mass and helped to rule out a malignancy. A marginal surgical excision was performed via a ventral approach. Histopathology of the mass was consistent with a thyroglossal duct cyst. This is the first report of a thyroglossal duct cyst in this location in a dog. There was no recurrence of clinical signs 14 mo after surgery.     

Influence of age and body mass on the heating effect of microwave radiation in broilers.

1. A total of 648 broilers was used in a factorial combination of 3 ages x 3 body masses x 4 microwave treatments to examine the possible interaction between bird age and body mass on the heating effect of microwaves. 2. As age or body mass increased, the increase in body temperature following exposure to microwaves decreased curvilinearly. 3. A significant interaction was evident between age and body mass. For the same body mass, microwave radiation exerted a greater heating influence at the younger age. 4. A model for the heating effect of microwaves is presented which takes into account the influence of both bird age and irradiated body mass.     

Radiotherapy of a recurrent ossifying fibroma in the paranasal sinuses of a horse

A 7-year-old female Thoroughbred was admitted with a history of labored breathing, stridor, and exercise intolerance. Examination revealed a mass in the left paranasal sinuses that was determined to be an ossifying fibroma. Initial treatment consisted of surgical removal of the mass alone; however, the mass recurred 9 months after surgery. The mass was again removed, and adjunctive radiotherapy consisting of 3,000 cGy of cobalt radiation was administered. This time, the tumor did not recur for > 6 years. A third surgery was performed to remove the mass, and adjunctive radiotherapy consisting of 4,000 cGy of photon beam radiation from a linear accelerator was administered. The mass did not recur during the subsequent 3 years. Ossifying fibromas are uncommon tumors that frequently recur if incompletely excised. Results in this horse suggest that adjunctive radiotherapy may delay or prevent tumor recurrence in affected horses.     

Omentalization of cystic sublumbar lymph node metastases for long-term palliation of tenesmus and dysuria in a dog with anal sac adenocarcinoma.

A 13-year-old castrated male Bassett Hound was examined because of a 2-week history of severe constipation and tenesmus. Radiography revealed a large cystic mass in the caudal portion of the abdomen that was compressing the urethra and obstructing the pelvic canal. A small perianal mass was also noticed in the region of the left anal sac. Exploratory surgery was performed, but the mass was deemed unresectable. Instead, the mass was incised, drained, and omentalized in an attempt to establish continuous drainage after surgery. Cytologic evaluation of the perianal mass was consistent with a diagnosis of anal sac adenocarcinoma. Histologic evaluation of the abdominal mass revealed it was a lymph node effaced by adenocarcinoma. Despite the poor prognosis for anal sac adenocarcinoma with metastatic spread to the sublumbar lymph nodes, tenesmus and dysuria in this dog remained palliated until the dog's death 18 months after surgery. Omentalization was successful in providing a continuous method of fluid drainage for this cystopapillary abdominal tumor.     

Dysuria resulting from an encapsulated haematoma in a recently spayed bitch

A 15-month-old bitch was presented for investigation of a two-month history of dysuria. Clinical signs had developed within one day of routine ovariohysterectomy. A rounded mass was palpable in the caudal abdomen which was shown radiographically to displace and compress the urinary bladder. On ultrasonography, the mass was composed primarily of pockets of hypoechoic fluid divided by hyperechoic septae; blood was obtained on fine-needle aspiration. The mass was surgically removed and the dog regained normal urinary function within a few days. Histopathological examination showed the mass to be an encapsulated haematoma, which is likely to have developed as a result of the ovariohysterectomy.     

Pyometra in a 13-year-old neutered queen

A 13-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was examined because of weight loss over 4 months. The history included being neutered when a kitten and no signs of estrus recognized by the owner since this surgery. A mid-abdominal mass was palpated. Ultrasonographic abdominal evaluation revealed a tubular fluid-filled mass. The cat underwent surgery to remove the mass, which was one horn of the uterus. The patient made a full recovery.     

Canine ovarian serous papillary adenocarcinoma with neoplastic hypercalcemia

A female golden retriever was referred to assess a history of a palpable abdominal mass. A serum chemistry analysis revealed elevated concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP). Exploratory laparotomy revealed an ovoid mass within the right ovary. This mass was removed surgically by performing an ovariohysterectomy. The right ovarian mass was diagnosed as a serous papillary adenocarcinoma. Following surgery, the dog recovered, and the serum calcium and PTH-rP concentrations decreased. Therefore, concentrations of PTH-rP and calcium might be associated with serous papillary adenocarcinomas. Serial evaluation of the serum PTH-rP and calcium was useful for evaluating the prognosis.     

Idiopathic osseous hyperplasia of the nasal turbinates in a Welsh terrier

A three-year-old Welsh terrier was presented with a 6-month history of progressive stertor, exercise intolerance and sneezing which was unresponsive to symptomatic treatment. A large calcified mass occupying the entire rostral right nasal cavity was defined with computed tomography. The mass was completely removed via a dorsal rhinotomy. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed osseous hyperplasia of the nasal turbinates. The excision led to complete resolution of clinical signs and there has been no recurrence 18 months after surgery.     

Vaginal Neurofibroma in a Hysterectomized Poodle Dog

A 15‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of a mass of tissue prolapsed from the vulva. The dog had been hysterectomized when it was 5 years old. A vaginal mass had been removed approximately 10 months before presentation. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated mild leucocytosis and glycaemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of parabasal cells and intermediate cells with no neoplastic cells. Thoracal and abdominal radiographic findings were unremarkable. The ovaries could not be identified using abdominal ultrasonography. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified both ovaries that were surgically excised. The vaginal mass was also removed following an episiotomy procedure. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a neurofibroma. Both ovaries had cystic changes. Four months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a vaginal neurofibroma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.     

Malignant melanoma in a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

A 3-year-old male budgerigar was presented for weakness. A 0.5-cm mass was located in the left patagium. Histologically, the mass was diagnosed as a malignant melanoma, previously unreported in budgerigars.