Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with breathing trouble and a mass in chest - what was found?
By Manso-Díaz, Gabriel et al.·Published in Journal of equine veterinary science·2019·Hospital Clí, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Mediastinal Ectopic Thyroid Carcinoma and Concurrent Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 30-year-old Standardbred gelding was brought in for chronic fluid buildup in his chest, which was causing breathing difficulties. Ultrasound and X-rays revealed a large mass in his chest and nodules in his lungs. Unfortunately, the horse's condition worsened, and his owners chose to euthanize him. A necropsy showed that the mass was an ectopic thyroid cancer, and the lung nodules were due to a condition called equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF). This case highlights a rare type of tumor in horses and the importance of considering EMPF when diagnosing lung issues.
People also search for: horse breathing problems · equine thyroid cancer · chronic pleural effusion in horses
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 on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31133322/