Disseminated Hemangiosarcoma in a Mare Mule.
Abstract: An 8-year-old mare mule was presented with a facial mass and history of anorexia, unilateral epistaxis and purulent nasal discharge. The facial mass was encountered from the ventral to the lateral right canthus of the eye up to the facial crest. Thoracic ultrasonography showed five rounded masses. A standing CT under sedation was performed revealing a huge extension and infiltration on surrounding tissues. Due to the extension, type of lesions, outcome and suspicion of metastasis, the owner chose to euthanize the patient. Necropsy confirmed the presence of tumoral lesions spread into the lungs, spleen, adrenal glands, ovary, oral cavity, and right frontal sinus. The microscopic examination was consistent with hemangiosarcoma. Hence, hemangiosarcoma is a differential diagnosis to rule out in future similar cases. This clinical description did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-08-27 PubMed ID: 36031031DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104112Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses a rare case of disseminated hemangiosarcoma in an eight-year-old mare mule, which eventually led to euthanization due to the extent of the disease and suspicion of metastasis.
Clinical Presentation
- The research begins with a description of the clinical presentation of an eight-year-old mare. Symptoms included a large facial mass, anorexia, unilateral epistaxis (nosebleed), and purulent nasal discharge. The facial mass extended from the lower right canthus of the mare’s eye to its facial crest.
Diagnostic Procedures
- Thoracic ultrasonography and a standing CT scan under sedation were performed on the mare. These procedures revealed five rounded masses in the mare’s thoracic region and a significant extension and infiltration of the presumed tumor into the surrounding tissues.
Decision for Euthanasia
- Considering the extent of the lesion, the nature of the suspected tumors, and the potential for metastasis, the mule’s owner elected for euthanasia. This demonstrates the severity of the mare’s condition and the potential difficulty in treating this particular case of hemangiosarcoma.
Necropsy and Histopathological Confirmation
- Following euthanasia, a necropsy was performed and confirmed the widespread presence of tumoral lesions in numerous organs, including the lungs, spleen, adrenal glands, ovary, oral cavity, and right frontal sinus.
- A microscopic examination of the tumors concluded that these masses are consistent with hemangiosarcoma, a type of cancer that originates in the blood vessels. The prevalence of lesions in multiple areas of the mule’s body suggests that the cancer had reached an advanced stage and had metastasized.
Implication for Future Cases
- The researchers conclude that hemangiosarcoma should be considered a differential diagnosis for similar cases in the future. This means that it should be part of the range of diseases or conditions that could possibly explain a patient’s symptoms and should be tested for when diagnosing.
Cite This Article
APA
Beatriz FR, Marta VG, María MC, Joaquín JF, Esther DF, Luis-Javier EC, Gabriel MD, Manuel IG.
(2022).
Disseminated Hemangiosarcoma in a Mare Mule.
J Equine Vet Sci, 120, 104112.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104112 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinical Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain. Electronic address: beatriz.fro@gmail.com.
- Clinical Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Clinical Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Clinical Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Female
- Equidae
- Hemangiosarcoma / diagnosis
- Hemangiosarcoma / veterinary
- Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
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