Hepatopancreatic ganglioneuroma in a young dog: a case report

Abstract

The clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical features of a hepatobiliary and pancreatic ganglioneuroma in a seven-month-old dog are described. The dog presented progressive weight loss, anorexia and abdominal pain. At laparoscopic examination numerous whitish nodules ranging from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter were found in the peripancreatic tissues, the bile duct system and perihepatic tissues. Due to poor prognosis the dog was euthanized and necropsy was conducted. Tumour nodules were not noted in the other examined abdominal organs. Microscopically, the nodules were composed of large, well differentiated neurons embedded in an abundant stroma of nerve fibres and connective fibrous tissue. Through immunohistochemistry analysis, neurons were found to express neurofilaments and did not express S-100 protein. The histopathological and immunohistochemical features were consistent with a diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. This case is atypical as the majority of reported canine ganglioneuromas involve the gastrointestinal tract. The early age of the dog is also considered to be atypical for this tumour.