Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Plexiform vasculopathy causing neck lymph node masses in cats
By Jungwirth, Nicole et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2018·1 Department of Pathology, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Plexiform Vasculopathy in Feline Cervical Lymph Nodes.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of four cats had enlarged lymph nodes near their thyroid glands that were dark brown to red and not painful. These cats had slowly growing masses, and when the lymph nodes were removed, they showed significant loss of normal tissue and unusual capillary structures. The findings suggest that the condition, known as plexiform vasculopathy, is benign but still not fully understood. The cats' lymph nodes were examined under a microscope, revealing specific markers that indicate a lymphendothelial origin.
People also search for: cat lymph node swelling · cat thyroid mass treatment · feline plexiform vasculopathy symptoms
Abstract
Plexiform vasculopathy refers to an endothelial proliferative disorder affecting cervical or inguinal lymph nodes of cats. The cause of this disorder and the origin of the proliferating endothelial cells are still unknown. In 4 cats with a history of a slowly growing, well-demarcated, nonpainful mass adjacent to the thyroid gland, an enlarged dark brown to red lymph node was removed. Histologically, the lymph nodes showed severe loss of lymphoid tissue with accumulations of erythrocytes. In addition, networks of capillary structures with well-differentiated endothelial cells on a collagen-rich stroma were observed, consistent with benign plexiform vasculopathy. Immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of the vascular endothelial markers CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen. In addition, immunolabeling with a Prox-1 antibody indicated a lymphendothelial origin. With respect to our findings, a lymphendothelial origin has to be considered in cases of intranodal vascular neoplasms.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29343196/