Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mastocytoma in the common carpal sheath of the digital flexor tendons of a horse.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Leadbeater, J C et al.
- Affiliation:
- Scone Veterinary Hospital · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old Morgan gelding was brought in because he was limping on his right front leg and had swelling in the area around his carpal sheath, which is where the tendons are located. The vet found a soft tissue mass in the tendon sheath after doing an ultrasound. They performed surgery to remove the mass, which turned out to be a type of tumor called a mast cell tumor. Unfortunately, 22 months later, the horse started limping again and had swelling due to the tumor coming back. While surgery and treatment with steroids can help manage the condition, it may not completely prevent recurrence.
Abstract
A 13-year-old Morgan gelding was examined for right forelimb lameness and tenosynovitis of the right common carpal sheath of the digital flexor tendons. The horse had moderate right forelimb lameness at the trot and marked effusion of the right common carpal sheath of the digital flexor tendons. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a soft tissue mass within the proximal pouch of the affected tendon sheath, located adjacent to the distal physis of the radius. Cytology and culture of the fluid revealed a sterile, eosinophilic tenosynovitis. Tenoscopic exploration confirmed the presence of a capsulated soft tissue mass. Thecotomy was required to fully debride the mass, which histology revealed to be a mast cell tumour. At 22 months postoperatively, the horse developed mild right forelimb lameness and eosinophilic tenosynovitis because of recurrence of the mastocytoma. Mastocytosis is a possible differential diagnosis in any horse exhibiting lameness associated with tenosynovitis. Surgical excision combined with rest and postoperative intrasynovial and systemic corticosteroids may be palliative.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20148821/