Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Right hind leg swelling in young Golden Retriever from nerve tumor
By Brower, A et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2005·Department of Pathobiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Unilateral limb enlargement in a dog with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3- to 4-month-old female Golden Retriever was brought in because her right hind leg was swollen and had an unusual shape. Over about seven months, her condition worsened, leading to muscle wasting and other serious issues with her leg. During surgery to fix her leg, the vet found a large cyst and ultimately had to amputate the leg due to a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, which is a type of cancer affecting the nerves. Unfortunately, the tumor was the cause of her leg problems, and the surgery was necessary to prevent further complications.
People also search for: dog leg swelling · Golden Retriever tumor · dog limb amputation · malignant nerve sheath tumor in dogs · dog surgery recovery
Abstract
A 3- to 4-month-old female Golden Retriever dog presented with right hind limb enlargement. Physical examination of the limb and radiographic findings initially included soft tissue swelling with elongation, bowing, and cortical irregularity of the femur and tibia. During a period of approximately 7 months, pathology in the limb progressed to include tarsal laxity, muscle atrophy, avulsion of the gastrocnemius muscle, and luxation of the patella. During surgical intervention to shorten the limb and repair the patellar luxation, a large soft tissue cyst was identified along the caudal aspect of the femur and stifle. The limb was later amputated, and a final diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath (PNS) tumor of the sciatic nerve and surrounding soft tissues was made. The unilateral limb enlargement in this dog appears to have been because of the development and progression of a malignant PNS tumor. The presentation and associated pathologic changes in the limb are unusual for canine PNS tumor but have similarities with neurofibromatosis in the limbs of humans.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15872382/