Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Erythrocytosis and pleural effusion associated with a hepatoblastoma in a Thoroughbred yearling.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Axon, J E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Scone Veterinary Hospital · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 10-month-old Thoroughbred filly was brought to the vet because she had been running a fever and had fluid in her chest for the past two months. During the examination, the vet found that her mucous membranes were congested, and tests showed she had an increased number of red blood cells, along with other abnormal blood results. An ultrasound of her chest revealed fluid, and a sample of that fluid showed it was mostly made up of certain immune cells. Despite receiving IV fluids, her high red blood cell count did not improve, and further tests showed a large mass in her liver. Unfortunately, the mass was diagnosed as a type of liver cancer called hepatoblastoma, which is rare in horses, and the decision was made to euthanize her.
Abstract
A 10-month-old Thoroughbred filly was presented with a 2-month history of recurrent fever and pleural effusion. Major clinical findings were pyrexia and congested mucous membranes. Clinical pathology tests revealed an erythrocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Pleural fluid was seen on ultrasonographic examination of the thorax and analysis of a thoracocentesis sample indicated a lymphocytic, modified transudate. A transtracheal aspirate was normal. The erythrocytosis persisted despite IV fluid therapy. Arterial blood gas analysis and bone marrow aspirate were normal. These findings were indicative of secondary inappropriate erythrocytosis. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen showed a large encapsulated heterogeneous mass in the left lobe of the liver. Histopathological evaluation of a biopsy of the mass was indicative of a hepatic carcinoma. The filly was euthanased and necropsy confirmed the presence of a hepatic tumour with no evidence of systemic metastasis. Further histopathological evaluation confirmed the tumour to be an embryonal macrotrabecular epithelial-type hepatoblastoma, a type of hepatoblastoma that has not previously been reported in a horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18673477/