Case of angiosarcoma of the nasal passage of the horse–ultrastructure and differential diagnosis from progressive haematoma.

The research paper is about an uncommon tumour type, angiosarcoma, identified in the nasal passage of a horse and its study using light and electron microscopy.

Objective of the research

• The research intends to study an angiosarcoma case found in the right frontal and maxillary sinuses of a nine-year-old Thoroughbred mare. The angiosarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels, an occurrence that is infrequent in the nasal passages of horses.

Methodology

• The study was conducted post-mortem where the angiosarcoma was examined using light and electron microscopy. These methods allow for the detailed study of the disease at a cellular level, providing important diagnostic features required for a precise diagnosis and, potentially, treatment planning in future cases.

Findings

• The microscopic examination revealed malignant endothelial cells lining ill-defined vascular spaces. An endothelial cell is a type of cell that lines the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. In this particular case, these cells have turned malignant, which means they’ve become cancerous and can grow uncontrollably.
• Other specific findings included the presence of vasoformative elements, which are components that help in the formation of blood vessels, and rhabdomyoblasts. Rhabdomyoblasts are immature cells that can develop into rhabdomyocytes – the building blocks of skeletal muscle tissue.

Implications

• The findings of this study shed light on the pathological features of a rare type of tumor found in the nasal passages of a horse. It could help other veterinary clinicians to diagnose similar cases in the future, and potentially plan treatment strategies.