Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mediastinal Ectopic Thyroid Carcinoma and Concurrent Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of equine veterinary science
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Manso-Díaz, Gabriel et al.
- Affiliation:
- Hospital Clí · Spain
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 30-year-old Standardbred gelding was taken to the vet because he had a long-term buildup of fluid in his chest. Tests showed that he had a large, unusual mass in his chest and some nodules in his lungs. Unfortunately, his condition got worse, and his owners decided to have him put to sleep to prevent further suffering. A post-mortem examination revealed that the mass was an ectopic thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer located in the wrong place) and that the lung nodules were due to a condition called equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (a lung disease in horses). This case highlights a rare type of tumor in horses and suggests that lung issues should be considered when there are masses in the chest.
Abstract
A 30-year-old Standardbred gelding was referred for chronic pleural effusion. Thoracic ultrasound revealed marked bilateral pleural effusion and a large heterogeneous mass within the cranial mediastinum, which extended from the right 5th to the 11th intercostal space. Subsequently, on thoracic radiographs, the cranial mediastinal mass was confirmed, and a nodular interstitial pattern was identified in the lungs. Because of progressive clinical deterioration of the patient, the owners elected humane euthanasia and necropsy was performed. The mediastinal mass was consistent with an ectopic thyroid carcinoma, and the pulmonary nodules represented equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF). This case report describes a type of mediastinal tumor not previously described in horses. Moreover, it shows the need of including EMPF as a possible differential diagnosis for a nodular interstitial pulmonary pattern in conjunction with a mediastinal or other masses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31133322/