ABSTRACT
An 18-year-old, grey, Thoroughbred Cross gelding was referred to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University following a 3-week history of low-grade fever of unknown origin, distal limb swelling, and weight loss. Clinical examination identified a few black, round, smooth nodules along the ventral aspect of the proximal tail. Transabdominal ultrasound showed a markedly enlarged heterogenous spleen, hyperechoic liver nodules, and evidence of peritonitis with fibrin deposition. A mature neutrophilia was noted on complete blood count with variable numbers of phagocytized granules within neutrophils. The granules did not stain with Perl's Prussian blue, and were intensely positive when stained with Fontana-Mason, consistent with melanin. On necropsy, the spleen occupied approximately one-third of the abdominal cavity and was diffusely firm with abundant black pigment on cut section. The medullary space of the 18th thoracic vertebra was also diffusely blackened. The splenic, mediastinal, and tracheobronchial lymph nodes were five times the normal size and diffusely pigmented. The final anatomic diagnosis was disseminated malignant melanoma with extensive splenic involvement and hemolymphatic and vascular neoplastic dissemination. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first full report to identify circulating neutrophils containing phagocytized melanin granules, which confirmed an antemortem diagnosis of disseminated melanoma.
Subject(s)
Horse Diseases , Melanoma , Skin Neoplasms , Animals , Horses , Lymph Nodes , Male , Melanins , Melanoma/veterinary , Neutrophils , Skin Neoplasms/veterinaryABSTRACT
The purpose of this retrospective case series was to assess the outcome of an autologous vaccination procedure on single and multiple sarcoid lesions, determine complication rate, and report owner satisfaction. Medical records (18 cases) from January 2009 through May 2014 were evaluated to identify horses undergoing the procedure. Signalment, number, size, anatomic location of lesions, and type of historical treatment were recorded. Follow-up was obtained via standardized owner survey, veterinary examination, and digital images. Data recorded and analyzed included ancillary therapies post-procedure, decrease in number and/or size of sarcoid lesions, sarcoid regrowth, complications, and owner satisfaction. There was a decrease in number of lesions observed by owners in 75% of cases and a decrease in size of sarcoids in 93.8% of cases. Clinical regression observed by owners was noted in 68.8% of cases. There were complications in 43.8% of cases and owner satisfaction in 75% of cases.
Vaccination autologue pour le traitement des sarcoïdes équins : 18 cas (20092014). Le but de cette série de cas rétrospectifs était d'évaluer le résultat d'une procédure de vaccination autologue sur des lésions de sarcoïdes simples et multiples, de déterminer le taux de complication et de signaler la satisfaction des propriétaires. Les dossiers médicaux (18 cas) datant de janvier 2009 à mai 2014 ont été évalués afin d'identifier les chevaux subissant l'intervention. Le signalement, le nombre, la taille, l'emplacement anatomique des lésions et le type de traitement historique ont été consignés. Le suivi a été obtenu par un sondage standard auprès des propriétaires, un examen vétérinaire et des images numériques. Les données consignées et analysées incluaient des traitements auxiliaires après l'intervention, une baisse du nombre et/ou de la taille des lésions des sarcoïdes, la repousse des sarcoïdes, les complications et la satisfaction des propriétaires. Il s'est produit une baisse du nombre des lésions observées par les propriétaires et de la taille des sarcoïdes dans 93,8 % des cas. La régression clinique observée par les propriétaires a été consignée dans 68,8 % des cas. Il y a eu des complications dans 43,8 % des cas et les propriétaires étaient satisfaits dans 75 % des cas.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
