Preputial lymphangioma in a stallion: First report.

This short communication describes a case of a 30-year-old stallion with a mass on the base of the penis causing paraphimosis. The patient was submitted to anti-inflammatory and diuretic therapy with no signs of improvement, so 16 days after the lesion was detected, the animal was euthanized. Necropsy was performed, and histopathological assessment of the lesion was conducted. The mass was composed primarily of channels and cavernous structures, lined by elongated cells of vascular origin, located in the preputium. The lesion was diagnosed as a preputial lymphangioma. To the authors' best knowledge, the anatomical location of this neoplasm (which is rare in veterinary medicine) has not been previously reported.

Tonsillar lymphangiomatous polyp in an adult dog.

A female spayed cocker spaniel dog, aged 8 years, developed a large, smooth pedunculated mass arising from the right palatine tonsil. Histology revealed that the mass was composed of many, variably dilated, thin-walled lymphatic channels filled with pale eosinophilic fluid lacking red blood cells and embedded in a dense, fibrovascular stroma. The dilated lymphatic channels were lined by a single layer of flattened, discontinuous endothelium with scattered intraluminal valves. Periodic acid-Schiff staining highlighted the discontinuous basement membrane and immunohistochemistry revealed strong cell membrane and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for CD31 and von Willebrand factor, respectively. The clinical and histological findings were consistent with a tonsillar lymphangiomatous polyp - an uncommon, benign tumour of the tonsil in man that has previously been unrecognized in veterinary medicine.

Bilateral lymphangiomatous testicular lesions in a lamb.

Bilateral testicular enlargement was recognized in a young lamb; both gonads were largely replaced by a mass composed of multiple cystic spaces. Positive immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related protein indicated that the cysts were lined by endothelial cells. The precise nature and origin of the lesions is unclear; they might represent hamartomas or benign tumours or may be a result of lymphatic obstruction.

Multiple hepatic cavernous lymphangioma in an aged male cat.

A 10-year-old male Domestic Longhair cat with weight loss, enlarged left testicle, icterus and mild liver enlargement showed, at necropsy, two white, raised, firm, circumscribed masses in the liver and striking enlargement of the left testicle. The histological features of the liver masses were consistent with lymphangioma. Severe, diffuse, coalescing to multifocal, subacute, necrotizing orchitis of the left testicle also was diagnosed. A literature review and examination of the epidemiology of lymphangioma in small domestic animals demonstrated the rarity of this tumour in cats.

Clinical manifestations of brucellosis in cattle of the southern Darfur Province, western Sudan.

Ninety-seven adult Zebu cattle with hygromas, 32 with arthritis and two showing long calving intervals were investigated for brucellosis. 92 per cent of hygromatous cattle, 62 per cent of arthritic cattle and both animals having long calving intervals were serologically positive and 65 per cent of milk samples were positive by the Milk Ring Test. Hygromas were found on the jaw, bursa, thigh, flank, hip, shoulder, neck and joints. Hygroma aspirates gave higher titres than sera in the serum agglutination test. IgG1, IgG2 and IgA were detected in all the aspirates and all but one contained IgM. Cattle with hygromas are a potential source of infection to other animals and a serious public health problem.

The isolation of Brucella melitensis biovar 3 from a testicular hygroma of a ram in a nomadic flock of sheep and goats in western Sudan.

Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from a testicular hygroma in a ram from a nomadic flock of sheep and goats serologically positive for brucellosis and with a history of occasional abortions. The affected testis was enlarged, extensively damaged and contained fluid. The isolation of this biovar identifies the need for further investigations into the prevalence of brucellosis and the particular biovars involved in nomadic animals.

Vascular malformations and angiomatous lesions in horses: a review of 10 cases.

Vascular malformations and angiomas are rather uncommon in horses and the literature concerning these lesions is reviewed. The pathology is described in 10 additional cases. These lesions were classified as arteriovenous malformation (one case), haemangiomas (six cases), 'proliferative angiomas' (two cases) and lymphangioma (one case). The haemangiomas and lymphangioma were probably hamartomatous in origin. Both cases of 'proliferative angioma' developed in aged animals and their pathogenesis was uncertain. More information is needed on the natural history and behaviour of lesions of this type.

Hepatic lymphangiomatosis in a young dog.

A 9-month-old intact male American cocker spaniel was referred because of hepatomegaly and ascites. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the liver revealed congestion and increased parenchymal echogenicity with focal and more hyperechoic nodules. Histopathology of the hepatic lesion revealed diffuse, ill-defined vascular proliferation. A single layer of endothelial cells, which showed signs of minimal cellular atypia, lined the irregular vessels. On immunohistochemistry, the proliferative endothelial cells lining the irregular vessels were positive for an antiserum to factor VIII related antigen. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with hepatic lymphangiomatosis.

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis: clinicopathologic study.

Chronic arthritis caused by caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus was observed after the introduction of new animals into a goat herd. There were high frequency of carpal hygroma and clinical signs of stiffness. The disease was progressive and produced a debilitating lameness among 30% of the affected animals. Laboratory findings were limited to alterations in synovial fluid which showed increased numbers of lymphocytes. Pathologic changes were observed in the joints, bursae, and adjacent tissues. Vascular injury and capillary leakage resulted in exudation into synovial cavities. Fibrin coated the synovial lining and formed (amorphous) long thread-like or broad-based villi. The articular cartilage was eroded. Cartilage erosion and penetration of the articular cartilage by pannus were associated with the presence of subchondral pseudocysts. The morphologic changes in bone and synovial tissues were like those described in human rheumatoid arthritis, except that rheumatoid nodules were not observed.

Response to radiation therapy of recurrent lymphangioma in a dog.

A recurrent lymphangioma in a 5-year-old Airedale Terrier was treated successfully with cobalt-60 radiation. The neoplasm had been excised twice before being treated with radiation.

Cystic lymphangioma in a colt.

A 6-month-old Morgan colt was examined because of preputial edema and multiple nodular masses in the left inguinal region. A tentative diagnosis of lymphatic hamartoma was made on the basis of initial biopsy findings. The prognosis for surgical excision was poor due to the progressive expansile growth of the tumor. Secondary infectious complications developed, and the colt was euthanatized at the owner's request. An abdominal and retroperitoneal mass was seen at postmortem examination. The mass was adherent to the left lumbar musculature, the craniodorsal aspect of the pelvic inlet, the midjejunum, the left testicle, and the left kidney. The mass extended through the left inguinal and femoral canals into the deep intermuscular fascia of the hindlimb. Histologic examination of the mass indicated that it was a cystic lymphangioma.

Lymphangioma in four dogs.

Lymphangioma, a rare benign tumor of lymph vessels, was diagnosed in 4 dogs. The lesions were in the nasopharynx, retroperitoneum, axilla, and medial aspect of thigh. Treatment was either surgical excision or marsupialization.

Generalized lymphangiectasis in a dog with subcutaneous chyle and lymphangioma.

A 2 1/2-year-old spayed Great Dane was evaluated for large, fluctuant, chyle-containing swellings on the ventral portion of the left side of the abdomen. Multiple abnormalities of the lymphatic system were diagnosed, including thoracic duct obstruction, lymphangioma, subcutaneous chyle reflux, intestinal lymphangiectasia, and dilatation of hepatic, mesenteric, and pleural lymphatic vessels. Mesenteric lymphangiography revealed leakage of contrast medium into the subcutaneous tissues adjacent and to the left of the second lumbar vertebral body. Dietary and surgical management to control the chylous reflux were unsuccessful, and the dog died approximately one year after the skin lesions were first observed.

Congenital brucellosis in cattle associated with localisation in a hygroma.

A heifer born to a cow experimentally infected with Brucella abortus strain 544 and reared in isolation from its birth was found infected. Antibodies appeared when it was 10 months old. The heifer calved normally. Brucella abortus of the same characteristics as strain 544 was recovered from a hygroma and from lymph nodes and udder. Five heifers out of 55 (about 10 per cent) born to infected dams and reared in isolation from their birth were found to be infected.

Treatment of hygromata in horses.

A surgical technique of open drainage, using penrose drains and pressure bandages, was used for the treatment of hygromata in four horses. In 3 cases with hygroma of the carpus, one with a secondary infection, there was complete resolution of the condition whereas in the one case with hygroma of the elbow resolution was more protracted because of difficulties in bandaging. The cosmetic and functional results after operation were most satisfactory.

Lymphangioma in the metacarpal pad of a dog.

A five-year-old English springer spaniel was presented with a three year history of metacarpal ulceration causing lameness. The lesion was initially thought to be caused by a foreign body, but subsequently diagnosed as lymphangioma. The dog was surgically treated with resection of the metacarpal pad and transposition of the second digital pad. A severe infection developed 11 days postoperatively but was managed with antibiotics and intensive wound therapy. The surgical technique was successful, considerable adaptation of the transposed pad occurred and the dog returned to full weightbearing on the leg. However, one year later another area of new ulceration developed on the dorsomedial aspect of the paw. This, too, was resected but recurred after a short time and the owner elected for euthanasia of the dog.

Lymphangiomatosis of the systemic skin in an old dog.

A 13-year-old, neutered male miniature dachshund was presented with a one-month history of bilateral symmetrical swelling in the pinnae and carpal, cubital and tarsal joints, and swelling in the tail. The lesions were histopathologically characterized by multiple dilated lymphatic vessels lined by a single attenuated layer of endothelial cells. The subcutis was predominantly involved. A number of spindle-shaped cells lining the irregular vessels were observed. Morphological atypia was not evident in these cells. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the proliferating endothelial cells were positive for factor VIII-related antigen and CD31. Based on the clinical presentation and histopathological features, the dog was diagnosed with lymphangiomatosis. Treatment with anti-inflammatory prednisolone improved the symptoms.