Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with scapula bone cyst causing leg lameness diagnosed by MRI
By Benamou, Jérôme et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2012·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic findings for diagnosis of an aneurysmal bone cyst in the scapula of a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 18-month-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was brought in for limping on her left front leg. The vet found a firm mass in her shoulder area and suspected it was an aneurysmal bone cyst (a type of bone growth). Due to the size of the mass and the likelihood that she wouldn't regain full use of her leg, the decision was made to amputate the limb. After surgery, she recovered quickly and was able to walk the next day. Three years later, she remains healthy and active.
People also search for: cat limping left front leg · cat shoulder mass treatment · cat bone cyst amputation recovery
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-month-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of left thoracic limb lameness. CLINICAL FINDINGS: A firm mass was palpable in the left scapular region. On the basis of clinical signs; results of radiographic, ultrasonographic, and cytologic evaluations; and findings on magnetic resonance imaging, an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the scapula was strongly suspected. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Considering the large size of the mass and the poor prognosis for return to function of the left thoracic limb, amputation was elected. Histologic evaluation ruled out a malignant process and was diagnostic for ABC originating from the left scapula. The patient recovered well and was ambulatory the day after surgery. Three years after surgery, the cat was healthy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of radiography, regional ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging enabled lesion structure and cavity content evaluation. However, final diagnosis was confirmed by histologic evaluation. To our knowledge, this is the first veterinary report of the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization and diagnosis of an ABC.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22171758/