Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis in a horse.

The research presents a case of a 6-year-old female Quarter Horse who was diagnosed with disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis. This disease was marked by the horse’s decrease in appetite, weight loss, and abdominal enlargement, among other symptoms. Upon removal and analysis of a large mass from the abdomen, the horse recovered with no complications and later bore a healthy foal.

Case Presentation

• The research explores a case focused on a 6-year-old female Quarter Horse, who began to show signs of medical distress including loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, abdominal enlargement, and mild, infrequent colic.
• During a rectal examination, a smooth, large mass was discovered next to the pelvic flexure of the horse’s colon. The only notable abnormality in the analysis of the peritoneal fluid of the horse was a high concentration of protein.
• Further investigations were made using ultrasonography, revealing the mass wasn’t localized but scattered adjacent to the body wall at multiple locations within the abdomen. This abnormal structure was depicted as multi-loculated, irregular and composed of numerous cysts in varying sizes with interspersed, circular hyperechoic nodules.

Treatment and Diagnosis

• A surgical procedure (celiotomy) was carried out to remove the mass, which weighed 34 kilograms. After the operation, a histological examination was conducted which led to the diagnosis of the horse’s condition as disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis – a rare and usually benign smooth muscle tumor.
• The horse recovered from the surgery without complications and even began to gain weight. This study remarks that no additional health problems have been reported since the surgery. The horse not only became capable to reproduce but also gave birth to a healthy foal.

Follow-up

• An extensive medical examination was conducted on the horse 22 months post surgery. The results were positive – there were no observable signs that suggested the reoccurrence of the tumor. Therefore, the surgery coupled with the removal of the mass was effective in treating the disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis.