Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bone growth in the forehead bones of an African grey parrot
By Hollwarth, Ashton J et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2023·Great Western Exotics, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Heterotopic Ossification Bone Formation in the Frontal Bones of an African Grey Parrot ().
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old male African grey parrot was brought to the vet because it had developed multiple firm lumps around its eyes. Imaging showed that these lumps were actually areas of abnormal bone growth, likely caused by recent head trauma. The vet performed surgery to take samples from the masses, and tests confirmed that the growths were made of bone tissue, with no signs of cancer or infection. The parrot's condition was linked to the injury it sustained, and the findings suggest that the trauma led to this unusual bone formation.
People also search for: African grey parrot eye lumps · parrot head trauma treatment · bone growth in birds
Abstract
A 5-year-old, male African grey parrot () was presented with multiple, slow-growing, firm, bilateral masses around the dorsal orbital rims. Computer tomographic imaging revealed mild, incomplete bridging bone formation on the rostrodorsal aspects of the head. A moderate amount of smooth bone formation was identified at the rostrodorsal aspect to the left orbit, with minimal associated soft tissue swelling. Surgical biopsies were collected from the masses and histopathological analysis of the most rostral right mass showed well-differentiated bone, surrounded by dense fibrous connective tissue. Scattered, well-differentiated osteocytes were present within the bone. No evidence of neoplastic changes or infectious agents were identified. The histopathological changes were consistent with metaplastic bone formation. History obtained from the owner revealed recent head trauma, which likely induced the cranial heterotopic ossification in the African grey parrot.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36935210/