Am Vet Med Assoc 1988;193:706-712. 4. MacEwen EG. Miscellaneous tumors. In: Withrow Sj,. MacEwen EG, eds. Clinical veterinary oncology. Philadelphia: JB.
What I Your Diagnosis?
Figure 1-Right lateral abdominal radiographic view of a 9-year-old sexually intact male dog with a 1-week history of generalized weakness.
History
A 9-year-old sexually intact male Norwegian Elkhound was examined because it had a 1-week history of generalized weakness. Physical examination revealed a 15-cm-diameter firm, freely movable mass in the caudal to middle portion of the abdomen. Survey abdominal radiographs were obtained and abdominal ultrasonography was performed (Fig 1 and 2). Make your diagnosis from Figures 1 and 2-then turn the page
Figure 2-Ultrasonogram obtained from the left sagittal abdominal scan plane.
JAVMA, Vol 200, No. 2, January 15, 1992
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Diagnosis
Abdominal mass. Radiographically, the mass was large, oval, and well-circumscribed, and it displaced the small intestine caudodorsally and the stomach craniodorsally. Ultrasonographically, the mass consisted of multiple cavitary sonolucent areas and poorly marginated echogenic nodules. The mass appeared to be contiguous with the head of the spleen.
moperitoneum 3 The prognosis for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is poor regardless of the location or clinical stage of the primary tumor. 4 Dogs with clinical signs of lethargy and anorexia have shorter survival time than dogs without these signs. 3 Median survival time after splenectomy ranges from 8 weeks to 1 year. 3 ·4 The dog of this report is alive and has remained tumor-free for 34 months. l. Wrigley RH, Park RD, Konde LJ, et al. Ultrasonographic features of splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs: 18 cases
Comments
Exploratory celiotomy revealed a 15-cm-diameter, reddish-black mass attached by a 1-cm diameter stalk to the middle portion of the body of the otherwise normal appearing spleen. Splenectomy and hepatic biopsy were performed. The histopathologic diagnosis was splenic hemangiosarcoma (sHs) without evidence of hepatic metastasis. Microscopic examination of serial sections of the body of the spleen and splenic stalk did not reveal any abnormalities. Organ displacement and peritoneal effusion are common radiographic features of SHS in dogs. 1 Common ultrasonographic features of SHS include mixed echogenicity vs the anechoic appearance of splenic hematomas. 1•2 Splenic hemangiosarcoma is common in 8- to 13-year-old dogs, with German Shepherd Dogs and spayed females at highest risk for developing the neoplasm 3 Clinical signs associated with SHS include anorexia, collapse, and he-
(1980-1986).] Am Vet Med Assoc 1988;192:1113-1117. 2. Lamb CR. Abdominal ultrasonography in small animals: examination of the liver, spleen and pancreas. ] Small Anim Pract 1990;31(1):5-14. 3. Prymak C, McKee Lj, Goldschmidt MH, et al. Epidemiologic , clinical, pathologic, and prognostic characteristics of splenic hemangiosarcoma and splenic hematoma in dogs: 217 cases (1985).] Am Vet Med Assoc 1988;193:706-712. 4. MacEwen EG. Miscellaneous tumors. In: Withrow Sj, MacEwen EG, eds. Clinical veterinary oncology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Co, 1989:412-418.
This report was submitted by Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, William R. Widmer , DVM , MS, S. Kathleen Salisbury, MS, DVM, and William W. Carlton, DVM, PhD, from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Veterinary Pathobiology, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine , West Lafayette, IN 47907. Dr. Hahn 's present address is Department of Environmental Practice, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37901-1071. Supported in part by the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 4 7907.
Notice to Contributors to the WYD feature As of] anuary 1, 1992, we will not process radiographs for publication in the JAVMA. Instead, glossy prints of radiographs should be submitted with manuscripts that have been prepared according to the Instructions to Authors. Authors needing assistance on how to obtain prints of radiographs may contact Dr. janis H. Audin at 1-800-248-2862, ext 258. The $50 .00 submission fee does not apply to manuscripts submitted for this feature .
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What Is Your Diagnosis?
JAVMA, Vol 200, No.2, January 15 , 1992
