Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gastrointestinal Intramural Pancreatic Pseudocysts in a Dog: A Case Report and Human Literature Review.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Johnson, Tiffany A et al.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9.5-year-old Yorkshire terrier had been experiencing vomiting and low energy for about a year and a half, which eventually led to overall weakness. Tests suggested the presence of an insulinoma, a type of pancreatic tumor, and surgery was performed to remove it. However, two weeks later, the dog stopped eating and had diarrhea, and further examination revealed a cyst in the stomach wall, which was treated surgically. Unfortunately, two weeks after that, the dog had more issues with not eating and regurgitating, leading to the discovery of another cyst in the intestine, which was also surgically removed. Thankfully, the dog has been doing well and has shown no signs of problems for 22 months after the initial surgery.
Abstract
A 9.5 yr old Yorkshire terrier presented with chronic intermittent vomiting and lethargy of 1.5 yr duration that progressed to generalized weakness. Insulin:glucose ratio was consistent with an insulinoma. Triple-phase computed tomography revealed a mid-body pancreatic nodule. The mid-body pancreatic nodule was enucleated; histopathology was consistent with an insulinoma. Two weeks after the operation, the dog presented for anorexia and diarrhea. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a thick-walled cystic lesion along the dorsal stomach wall. An intramural gastric pseudocyst was diagnosed via exploratory laparotomy and intraoperative gastroscopy. Comparison of amylase and lipase levels of the cystic fluid with that of concurrent blood serum samples confirmed the lesion was of pancreatic pseudocyst origin. The gastric pseudocyst was omentalized. Two weeks after the operation, the dog re-presented for anorexia, regurgitation, and diarrhea. An intramural duodenal pseudocyst was identified and treated with a duodenal resection and anastomosis. The dog has remained asymptomatic and recurrence free based on serial abdominal ultrasounds 22 mo following insulinoma removal. To our knowledge, this phenomenon of pancreatic pseudocysts forming in organs other than the pancreas has not been reported in dogs. This case report and comprehensive human literature review purpose is to raise awareness of this disease process in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34606594/