Granuloma Due to Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose in an Aged Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta).

Bioabsorbable hemostatic agents such as oxidized regenerated cellulose are widely used to control intraoperative diffuse capillary bleeding. Compared with electrocautery or ligation, oxidized regenerated cellulose has the advantage of controlling bleeding without occluding the vessel lumen or causing thermal injuries to adjacent tissue. Although the manufacturer recommends removal of the material once hemostasis is achieved, oxidized regenerated cellulose is a bioabsorbable hemostatic agent and is often left in the surgical bed to prevent subsequent bleeding after surgical closure. However, noninvasive imaging techniques have revealed granulomatous foreign-body reactions that mimic infection or tumor recurrence. We present a case report of sterile peritonitis and granuloma formation secondary to the presence of oxidized regenerated cellulose after intestinal resection to excise a colonic adenocarcinoma in an aged rhesus macaque.

Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma Induced by a Foreign Body Granuloma.

An 8 yr old spayed female Italian greyhound was presented with a mass in the cranial abdomen. Preliminary evaluation of the dog revealed a large, cavitary, irregularly shaped mass with no definitive association with any abdominal organs. During an exploratory celiotomy, a 16 cm × 12 cm × 6 cm mass was removed. On subsequent histopathology, extraskeletal osteosarcoma induced by a foreign body granuloma was diagnosed. The foreign body granuloma, based on histopathological findings, was suspected to be secondary to a retained surgical sponge from her routine ovariohysterectomy performed 7 yr prior to presentation. Animals with granulomas induced by foreign bodies can remain asymptomatic for years; however, those granulomas can progress to extraskeletal osteosarcomas, which carry a poor prognosis.

[Ileus provoked by hairfollicles in form of a foreign body granuloma in the small intestine of a cat. A case report]. / Ileus hervorgerufen durch Granulationsgewebe mit eingeschlossenen Haarschäften im Dünndarm einer Katze. Ein Fallbericht.

Vomitus and anorexia is a frequent reason for presentation of cats at any age at the veterinarian. When an underlying ileus is suspected the risk of a neoplasia is considered to be high, especially in older patients. Due to high cost for diagnostics and treatment and a guarded prognosis owners frequently opt for euthanasia of those animals without verification of the tentative diagnosis. In this cat the ileus was caused by hairfollicles in form of a foreign body granuloma in the intestinal mucosa, which could be removed without difficulty by an enterectomy. So far no similar case report has been documented. This case demonstrates that in spite of a justified suspicion of a neoplasia in an elder animal this will not necessarily be verified by histopathological examination. Further diagnostic measures should always be performed to establish a prognosis for the patient.

Paratuberculosis vaccination.

One vaccine, Mycopar, is licensed for use in US cattle. The vaccine reduces clinical disease and fecal shedding of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The vaccine is indicated for use in herds with a high MAP infection prevalence or herds with limited resources for implementing paratuberculosis control measures. In heavily infected herds, a combination of vaccination and disease control measures can help protect susceptible young stock while reducing environmental burdens and limiting MAP transmission. There are regulatory restrictions on use of the vaccine and practitioners must consult their state veterinarian for guidance. Vaccines used in other countries have been widely adopted in Johne's disease control programs for small ruminants.

Foreign body-associated intestinal pyogranuloma resulting in intestinal obstruction in four dogs.

Intestinal obstruction resulting from an intramural foreign body-associated pyogranuloma was diagnosed in four dogs. Vomiting and weight loss were the main clinical signs. On physical examination, a mass in the abdomen was detected in three dogs. Abdominal radiography demonstrated the presence of soft tissue opacity in three of the dogs and gas-filled dilated intestinal loops in all four dogs. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hyperkinetic fluid-filled dilated intestinal loops and a hypoechoic small intestinal mass in all the dogs. Exploratory coeliotomy confirmed the presence of a jejunal mass, which was removed by resection and anastomosis in all the dogs. In one of the dogs a linear foreign body was also found cranial to the mass and was removed through a separate enterotomy incision. The lesions were diagnosed as foreign body-associated intestinal pyogranulomas on histological examination. Three dogs recovered without complications, but the fourth showed signs of septic peritonitis four days after surgery and was euthanased at the owner's request. The other three dogs remained disease-free 12 to 42 months after surgery.

Use of a combination of prednisolone and rosuvastatin for treatment of a pyogranuloma in a dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-year-old spayed female Miniature Dachshund was examined because of a 3-day history of anorexia and diarrhea. CLINICAL FINDINGS: A lump was detected during abdominal palpation. Biochemical abnormalities included increases in serum concentrations of total protein, globulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Abdominal radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a mass on the caudal aspect of the right kidney. Exploratory laparotomy confimed the mass; however, it could not be excised because it was strongly adhered to surrounding tissues. Histologic examination of a tissue sample from the mass led to a diagnosis of pyogranuloma. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The dog was treated with rosuvastatin, but no improvement was evident. Administration of a high dose of prednisolone (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) was initiated. The CRP concentration returned to within reference limits, and the mass gradually decreased in size. The prednisolone dosage was tapered to 0.14 mg/kg (0.064 mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours. However, once the low dosage of prednisolone was reached, CRP concentration and size of the mass increased. Rosuvastatin was subsequently combined with the low dosage of prednisolone. After 1 week of the combination treatment, the CRP concentration returned to within reference limits, and the mass was reduced in size. The mass eventually could not be detected ultrasonographically. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A low dose of prednisolone was not effective against the pyogranuloma. However, administration of a low dose of prednisolone in combination with rosuvastatin caused decreases in CRP concentration and size of the pyogranuloma. Thus, statins may act as immunosuppressants.

In vivo reactions in mice and in vitro reactions in feline cells to implantable microchip transponders with different surface materials.

Tissues of mice that had had microchip transponders with surfaces made of bioglass, bioglass with a polypropylene cap, parylene C, titanium or aluminium oxide inserted were examined histologically, and the growth of two lines of feline fibroblastoid cells around these transponders was examined in vitro. The results for bioglass and aluminium oxide were similar. In vitro, there were almost no cells around or on the transponders; in vivo, there was often granulomatous inflammation in the surrounding tissue. In the case of the bioglass, this reaction seemed to be induced by petrolatum, which was added by the manufacturer for technical reasons, rather than by the bioglass itself. In some of the mice, polypropylene caused a proliferation of granulation tissue. In vitro, the cellularity around the transponders was high, but only a moderate number of cells were found on the material. In vivo, around the parylene C transponders, there were occasionally small fragments of foreign material, surrounded by a foreign body reaction; in vitro, the results for parylene C resembled those for polypropylene. In vivo, particles of titanium were sometimes visible in the connective tissue adjacent to the titanium transponders, and sometimes accompanied by a foreign body reaction; in vitro, a confluent layer of cells developed on the transponders, with a high cellularity around them.

Ultrasound-guided retrieval of plant awns.

In dogs, surgical removal of plant awns causing a foreign body granuloma or abscess may be challenging. The inability to localize the foreign body during surgical removal often leads to abscess recurrence. In this report, we describe ultrasound-guided retrieval as an alternative to standard surgical retrieval in animals where the plant awn can be identified sonographically. This procedure was used in six dogs with a superficial abscess due to a plant awn, and in all dogs the foreign body was successfully retrieved with Hartmann forceps. No complication was observed and no abscess recurred. Minimally invasive ultrasound-guided plant awn retrieval appears to be a safe effective method of retrieving superficially located plant awns in the dog.

Computed tomography-guided brain biopsy for in vivo diagnosis of a cholesterinic granuloma in a horse.

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old warmblood mare was evaluated following an acute onset of neurologic abnormalities. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Computed tomography of the head revealed large masses in both lateral ventricles, and a presumptive diagnosis of cholesterinic granuloma was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Freehand biopsy of the intracranial masses was performed under computed tomographic guidance, and histologic examination of biopsy specimens confirmed the diagnosis. No adverse effects associated with the brain biopsy procedure were encountered. Clinical signs resolved, and long-term follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of neurologic deficits. The horse was able to return to its previous level of training. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that computed tomographic-guided brain biopsy is feasible in horses and can be used to establish a diagnosis in horses with intracranial masses.

Foreign-body granulomas within intramyocardial arteries in a transcoronary safety assessment in pigs.

Foreign-body granulomas within intramyocardial arteries were detected in three domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) in a routine transcoronary safety assessment study. The foreign bodies stained light grayish-blue by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and were strongly birefringent by polarized light microscopy. By their morphological features, they were identified as cotton fibers. Embolization of foreign-body material into the myocardial arteries following catheter-based procedures is an unusual event, and its occurrence may lead to granulomatous foreign-body reaction and misinterpretation of histological results.

Multiple granulomas in three squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) caused by Mycobacterium microti.

Mycobacterium microti, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, causes tuberculosis in small rodents and occasionally in other mammals including man. Three adult male squirrel monkeys, two with a history of lethargy, weakness and stridor and one with paralysis of the hind legs, were presented for necropsy. One of the two lethargic animals showed multiple granulomas in the mesentery, mesenteric lymph nodes, lung, liver, kidneys and spleen, while the other showed granulomas only in the lung. The animal with paralysis of the legs had an abscess-like lesion in the skeletal muscle of the neck, granulomas in the mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes, and a fracture of the thirteenth thoracic vertebra with severe lesions of the spinal cord. Histologically the granulomas showed typical features of tuberculous granulomas, i.e., central necrosis surrounded by epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, inflammatory cells and a border of connective tissue. Ziehl-Neelsen stain demonstrated sporadic acid-fast bacilli within the granulomas, these organisms being identified as M. microti by microbiological and molecular methods.

Intrapelvic granuloma formation six years after total hip arthroplasty in a dog.

A 9-year-old Golden Retriever that had undergone left total hip arthroplasty 6 years previously was evaluated because of constipation and tenesmus. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography revealed a large intrapelvic mass that was contiguous with a mass of polymethyl methacrylate that had been extruded through a defect in the medial wall of the acetabulum at the time of total hip arthroplasty. Clinical signs resolved following resection of the mass and associated polymethyl methacrylate from the pelvic canal. Results of histologic examination of the mass were consistent with a diagnosis of foreign body granuloma, most likely secondary to particulate debris. There was no clinical or radiographic evidence of aseptic loosening of the acetabular or femoral components, and the mass may have represented a response to wear debris.

Echinococcus multilocularis in two lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla).

An unusual presentation of alveolar echinococcosis was observed in two lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla). Clinical signs included progressive abdominal enlargement, apathy and anorexia. Macroscopical changes consisted of severe peritonitis and foci of hepatic necrosis with large cavities replacing most of the normal tissue. Additionally, a few structures resembling hydatid cysts were present. Histologically, some necrotic areas contained fragments of a laminated wall characteristic of echinococcal metacestodes. Only a few areas showed the multiloculated architecture typical of Echinococcus multilocularis. Serum antibodies against E. multilocularis antigen were detected in both animals, and granulomatous and necrotizing hepatitis with severe peritonitis due to E. multilocularis was diagnosed. The pathological changes in alveolar echinococcosis in gorillas appear to resemble more closely those found in human beings than those in other non-human primates.

Ultrasonographic appearance of intra-abdominal granuloma secondary to retained surgical sponge.

This report describes two animals (one dog and one cat) with a retained surgical sponge. Both had nonspecific clinical signs. Clinical examination, ultrasonography and cytologic examination were used to identify an abdominal mass compatible with a granuloma. The lesions were surgically removed and confirmed histologically as granulomas secondary to a retained sponge. The ultrasonographic appearance was very similar in both animals.

Ocular Onchocerca infections in two dogs in western United States.

Two dogs, one from California and one from Arizona, were found to have aberrant infections caused by filarial nematodes of the genus Onchocerca. In both cases, the parasites are localized in or near the eye. In one case the worm was located in the cornea and was surgically removed. In the second case, a very marked granulomatous reaction was induced in the retrobulbar space, mimicking an abscess. This eye was enucleated. The worms in both instances were female, and were gravid, i.e. contained microfilariae in utero, indicating that a male worm(s) had been present and mating had occurred. The exact identity of the species of Onchocerca responsible cannot be determined, although the features observed are most like Onchocerca lienalis of cattle. These cases represent the fourth and fifth such cases reported from the US, and are especially interesting because of the unusual location of the worms, the small number of recognized cases, and the similarity to a recent zoonotic human infection.