Treatment of a giant pulmonary emphysematous cyst with primary bronchoalveolar papillary carcinoma in a Shih Tzu dog.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the surgical treatment of a pulmonary emphysematous cyst concurrent with primary pulmonary bronchoalveolar papillary carcinoma in a dog. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: 12-year-old 6.4 kg spayed female Shih Tzu dog. METHODS: The dog presented for surgical treatment of pulmonary emphysema. Radiography revealed that more than half of the left caudal lung lobe was enlarged and hyperlucent and computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of an emphysematous space. Thoracoscopic lung lobectomy was attempted but was converted to an intercostal thoracotomy due to poor visualization and pleural adhesions. A left caudal total lung lobectomy was performed using a self-cutting endoscopic stapler. RESULTS: The dog recovered uneventfully and a postoperative histopathologic diagnosis of pulmonary cystic bronchoalveolar papillary carcinoma was made. Re-evaluation using a CT scan with contrast study on postoperative days 27 and 177 revealed no evidence of residual, metastatic, or recurrent lesions. The dog has been doing well since surgery during the 11 month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests a potential relationship between pulmonary emphysematous diseases and primary lung tumors in dogs.