Hemangiosarcoma associated with polypropylene suture in a cat

ABSTRACT

Background: Sutures plays an important role in wound repair by providing hemostasis and support for healing suture. Synthetic non-absorbable like polypropylene suture materials induce minimal tissue reaction. Polypropylene has not been associated to neoplasms in domestic animals. The aim this study is to describe the first case of polypropylene suture induced hemangiosarcoma in an abdominal wall of a feline.Case A 13-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented with a ventral abdominal subcutaneous mass. Clinical examination revealed a firm, rough, and irregular, approximately 6 x 4 cm subcutaneous mass involving the caudal ventral abdomen. A complete blood (cell) count (CBC) was within normal limits. Leukemia and FIV tests were negative; and the results of a chemistry panel revealed elevated creatinine (valor 2.0 reference range 0.5-1.9). Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large mass of mixed echogenicity in the mid-ventral abdomen cranial to the bladder, measuring approximately 6 x 4 cm in the middle line with suture deeply embedded within mass suggesting foreign body reaction or neoplasm. There was evidence of sutures (hyperechoic lines) along the caudal abdominal wall extending into the mass. Records indicated that ovariohysterectomy procedure was performed 12 years previously at the same clinic and the closure of the abdominal wall was made with polypropylene sutures. No other abdominal surgery was performed in this cat. A fine-needle aspirate of the mass and contrast-enhanced computed tomography was not performed due to owner’s finance restrains. The cat was referred to surgery and the mass was excised. No evidence of metastasis was noted during surgery. Histologically, the neoplastic cells were oval to round with granular cytoplasm and vesicular nucleus and exhibited moderate cellular and nuclear pleomorphism. A diagnosis of abdominal wall hemangiosarcoma was made with suture deeply embedded within mass. Surgical margins were clear. [...]