Fibro-Osseous Lesions Of The Craniofacial Complex In Horses: 30 Cases (2001-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for horses with fibro-osseous lesions of the craniofacial complex. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter case series. ANIMALS: Thirty horses evaluated for fibro-osseous lesions of the skull from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2019 in four centers. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, clinical presentation, histological and diagnostic imaging findings, treatment instituted, and outcome. Long-term outcome information was obtained by owner questionnaire or the medical record. RESULTS: Diagnoses included ossifying fibroma in 20 of 30 horses, osteoma in eight of 30 horses, and fibrous dysplasia in two of 30 horses. Twelve of 30 lesions were diagnosed in horses <1 year old, and 20 of 30 lesions originated from the rostral mandible. The most common treatment was rostral mandibulectomy. Recurrence was not reported after complete excision. Incomplete excision was confirmed in eight horses (four ossifying fibromas, three osteomas, and one fibrous dysplasia), and follow-up information was available for seven horses. Recurrence occurred in one horse, while six horses had long-term resolution of clinical signs. Prognosis for survival and return to use was excellent in 23 horses with long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fibro-osseous lesions were uncommon in this multicenter study; they were most commonly diagnosed in young animals and most frequently affected the rostral mandible. Long-term survival was excellent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The definitive diagnosis of fibro-osseous lesions of the craniofacial complex in horses is made from results of histopathology and cannot be determined on the basis of clinical presentation alone. Surgical excision is indicated, and prognosis can be favorable even when complete surgical margins are not obtained.

Benign and Malignant Proliferative Fibro-osseous and Osseous Lesions of the Oral Cavity of Dogs.

Ossifying fibroma (OF) and fibrous dysplasia (FD) are benign, intraosseous, proliferative fibro-osseous lesions (PFOLs) characterized by replacement of normal bone by a fibrous matrix with various degrees of mineralization and ossification. Osteomas are benign tumors composed of mature, well-differentiated bone. Clinical, imaging, and histologic features of 15 initially diagnosed benign PFOLs and osteomas of the canine oral cavity were evaluated. Final diagnoses after reevaluation were as follows: OF (3 cases), FD (4 cases), low-grade osteosarcoma (LG-OSA) (3 cases), and osteoma (5 cases). Histology alone often did not result in a definitive diagnosis for PFOL. OF appeared as a well-circumscribed, radiopaque mass with some degree of bone lysis on imaging. Most lesions of FD showed soft tissue opacity with bone lysis and ill-defined margins. Low-grade OSA appeared as a lytic lesion with a mixed opacity and ill-defined margins. Osteomas were characterized by a mineralized, expansile, well-circumscribed lesion. Although histologic features of PFOLs were typically bland, the lesions diagnosed as LG-OSA had some features of malignancy (eg, bone invasion or a higher mitotic index). Treatment varied widely. Of the 10 dogs with benign PFOL or osteoma with known outcome (10/12), 9 showed either complete response (6/10) or stable disease (3/10) after treatment. Of the 2 dogs with LG-OSA with known outcome, 1 showed complete response after curative intent surgery, but 1 patient had recurrence after partial maxillectomy. Definitive diagnosis of mandibular/maxillary PFOL is challenging via histopathologic examination alone, and accurate diagnosis is best achieved through assimilation of clinical, imaging, and histopathologic features.

Mandibular Osteoma in a Haflinger Mare: Clinical and Pathological Features.

A 11-year-old, Haflinger breed mare developed a slowly growing mass, protruding on the ventral aspect of the mandible. On palpation, the lesion was pedunculated, very firm, cold and not painful. Radiographic examinations showed a radiopaque, multi-lobular, "mushroom-like" lesion, which arose from the mandibular cortex without involving the bone marrow cavity. Thereafter, the mass was excised for cosmetic purposes. Microscopically, the lesion mainly consisted of bone trabeculae, covered by a thick layer of connective tissue resembling the periosteum. History and clinical findings allowed the temptative diagnosis of mandibular osteoma, which was further supported by diagnostic imaging and pathological features. In particular, the presence of pedunculated lesions arising from the bone surface appeared as highly suggestive of osteoma. Equine osteomas usually affect paranasal sinuses and the rostral mandible and share many similarities with other neoplastic and neoplastic-like conditions, such as ossifying fibroma and fibrous dysplasia. The prognosis is good whenever the neoplasm is fully removed, that depending on the localization and the size of the mass.

Juvenile Disease Processes Affecting the Forelimb in Canines.

Several juvenile diseases affect the canine forelimb. The most common are hypertrophic osteodystrophy, panosteitis, and retained cartilaginous core. Panosteitis and hypertrophic osteodystrophy tend to be self-limiting, with a good long-term prognosis, although severe cases can develop. These diseases may recur during growth. Severe cases of hypertrophic osteodystrophy can lead to angular limb deformities and may even be fatal. Retained cartilaginous cores can be benign with no evidence of clinical signs and be found incidentally on radiographs. However, if they disrupt the distal ulnar physis, angular limb deformities may persist requiring surgical intervention with a corrective osteotomy.

Fibrous osteodystrophy in a wild dolphin.

Skeletal lesions observed during necropsy of a wild mature male dolphin (Delphinus delphis) were consistent with fibrous osteodystrophy when examined microscopically. The lesions were pronounced in the ribs, scapulae, and pelvis, with no apparent skull or vertebral involvement. Whether the cause was nutritional or nonnutritional was not determined.

Osteodystrophia fibrosa in horses at pasture in Queensland: field and laboratory observations.

Horses grazing manily Cenchrus ciliaris and/or Panicum maximum var. trichoglume pastures on over 30 properties in southern central Queensland developed lesions of osteodystrophia fibrosa. Horses on individual properties in coastal Queensland grazing Setaria anceps, Brachiaria mutica or Pennisetum clandestinum also developed the disease. Ill-thrift, lameness, and fibrous swellings of nasal bones, maxillae and mandibles were observed. Calcium and phosphorus levels of pasture were normal but all the above pasture species contained oxalates which were suspected of causing the disease.

Fibrous dysplasia of mandibular bone in a dog.

A nine-year-old, male German shepherd dog was presented with a firm, discrete mass lingual to the interdental space of the mandibular left third and fourth premolars. The lesion was excised and diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia of bone based on histopathologic examination. Fibrous dysplasia of bone is a rare, non-aggressive, radiolucent, non-neoplastic lesion considered developmental in origin. Usually observed as a solitary lesion, it has been reported in animals and man in the polyostotic form. The disease process causes deformity of bone which may lead to loss of bone strength. Clinical signs are secondary to site specific problems associated with expansile bone lesions. Oral examination performed 18-months postoperatively indicated no signs of recurrence.