Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rottweiler with swollen knee and enlarged popliteal lymph node
By Dias Pereira, P et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2006·ICBAS·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A femorotibial joint swelling with popliteal lymph node enlargement in a Rottweiler.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old male Rottweiler was brought to the vet because of a large swelling near his left knee and an enlarged lymph node behind his knee. Tests showed that the lymph node contained cancerous cells, leading to a diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis, a type of cancer that affects the immune system. Unfortunately, further examination revealed that the cancer had spread to many organs in his body. This case highlights the importance of quick testing to catch such serious conditions early, although the dog’s prognosis was poor due to the advanced stage of the disease.
People also search for: Rottweiler swollen knee · dog lymph node cancer · malignant histiocytosis in dogs
Abstract
A 9-year-old male Rottweiler was presented to the Veterinary Medical Hospital Montenegro, Porto, Portugal with a large mass medial to the left stifle and radiographic signs of bone lysis involving the proximal tibia, fibula, and distal femur. A fine-needle aspiration was obtained from left popliteal lymph node, which was markedly enlarged. Cytologic examination revealed a highly cellular sample consisting of pleomorphic cells with marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis and other criteria of malignancy. Some cells contained intracytoplasmic, granular, dark brown material, consistent with hemosiderin. Histologic evaluation of the surgically-excised lymph node revealed a neoplastic proliferation of histiocytic cells, with marked pleomorphism; occasional cells were erythrophagocytic. Mitotic figures were frequently observed, and many were atypical. Histologic findings were consistent with malignant histiocytosis. Necropsy examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis with systemic involvement affecting most organs examined. This case of malignant histiocytosis case had an atypical clinical presentation, mimicking a musculoskeletal disorder. It underlines the importance of cytology as a simple, inexpensive, rapid and noninvasive complementary exam in routine clinical practice that can permit early diagnosis of the disease and timely selection of the most adequate therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16967421/