An Emphysematous, Intra-abdominal Mass in a Cat: A Case Report

A TWO-YEAR-OLD male Persian cat was presented to the University of Georgia for anorexia, lethargy, and fever of 48 hours duration. Dehydration, depression, and fever (105.5°) were found on physical examination. A circumscribed mass which felt gritty and emphysematous, was palpated in the caudal abdomen adjacent to the bladder. A complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, and abdominal radiographs were obtained. Antibiotic (ampicillin, 10 mg/lb, TID) and fluid replacement therapy (200 ml lactated Ringer's solution, SC) were instituted for the fever and dehydration. The CBC revealed a degenerative left shift with immaturity. The significant radiographic finding was an emphysematous soft tissue mass in the caudal abdomen (Fig. 1 & 2).     

Intraoperative Biopsy and Microscopy During Exploratory Laparotomies

Intraoperative biopsy and microscopy were evaluated, retrospectively, in 23 exploratory laparotomies. After comparing the surgical impression to the microscopic diagnosis obtained during surgery, the use of intraoperative cytologic and frozen section examination altered the surgical plan in 13 cases and reinforced the surgical plan in 10 cases. No cases had an intraoperative microscopic diagnosis that differed from the postoperative histologic examination of paraffin sections. Recommendations for selecting cases and for using intraoperative biopsy and microscopy are included.