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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Microsurgical removal of sudden belly mass in female gourami fish

By Harms, C A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1995·Department of Companion Animal, United States·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Microsurgical excision of an abdominal mass in a gourami.

Species:
fish
Stomach & digestion

Abstract

A female, sunset, thick-lipped gourami (Colisa labiosa) that weighed 8 g and was 5.4 cm from the snout to the end of the vertebral column was examined because of a 5-mm-diameter, midventrally located mass that had developed suddenly 1 month earlier. Cytologic examination of a sample obtained by use of fine-needle aspiration, survey radiography, positive-contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract, and Doppler ultrasonography were performed to evaluate the mass. These procedures were not able to provide a definitive diagnosis, but did facilitate surgical planning. The mass was excised, and the abdominal musculature was repaired, using microsurgical techniques. Redevelopment of the mass was not detected during the 5-month period after surgery. Histologic evaluation of the mass revealed an organized hematoma of undetermined cause. Successful management of this gourami illustrated that size should not be a deterrent to diagnostic evaluation and surgical intervention in diminutive fish.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7559074/