Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs of sympathetic denervation associated with a thoracic melanoma in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Murray, M J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 20-year-old gray gelding, which is a mix of Thoroughbred and Percheron breeds, showed signs of a condition called sympathetic denervation, where the nerves that control certain body functions are affected. This was seen as increased warmth and sweating on the right side of his body, from his shoulder to his elbow, and also on the right side of his head. However, he did not show other symptoms typically associated with a related condition called Horner's syndrome. X-rays of his chest showed unusual density in the upper part of the thorax, and tests on fluid from around his lungs indicated the presence of abnormal cells linked to melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Unfortunately, treatment with medications did not help, and while a necropsy (an examination after death) was not done, the findings suggested that the horse had a thoracic melanoma affecting the nerves in that area.
Abstract
Sympathetic denervation in a 20-year-old, gray, Thoroughbred-Percheron gelding was manifested by cutaneous hyperthermia and sweating over the right side of the body, demarcated by a line from the withers to the elbow and extending cranially. There was cutaneous hyperthermia over the right side of the head, but other signs of Horner's syndrome (sweating, ptosis, miosis, enophthalmos) were not present. The pattern of cutaneous hyperthermia and sweating was consistent with sympathetic denervation localized to the cervicothoracic ganglion, and thoracic radiographs revealed increased density in the craniodorsal thorax. Cytologic evaluation of a sample of pleural effusion revealed mesothelial cells containing melanin and cells suggestive of melanocytes or melanoblasts. Treatment with oral cimetidine and intrapleural cisplatin was not successful. A necropsy was not performed, but the clinical findings supported a diagnosis of thoracic melanoma involving the cervicothoracic ganglion.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9298473/