Congenital lipoblastoma in a neonate calf: first report in veterinary literature.

Abstract

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumour of adipose tissue that usually occurs in young children. Although around 100 cases of lipoblastoma have been reported in humans, no report has been previously described in animals. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of a congenital lipoblastoma located at the tail base of a 2-day-old male calf. Grossly, the mass was pink with a partly ulcerated and haemorrhagic surface. The calf showed no neurological deficits. Radiographs of the vertebral column revealed no abnormalities, and surgical excision was performed. Histopathology of the mass was consistent with lipoblastoma. The calf was followed up for 13 months and found to be healthy with no signs of recurrence. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of lipoblastoma in the veterinary literature. Lipoblastoma should thus be considered in the differential diagnosis list for congenital adipose tissue tumours in animals.