Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with myasthenia gravis treated by thoracoscopic thymoma removal
By Griffin, Maureen A et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2016·Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection of a Noninvasive Thymoma in a Cat with Myasthenia Gravis Using Low-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Insufflation.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was brought in for symptoms like weakness, changes in voice, excessive drooling, poor appetite, vomiting, coughing, and gagging. Tests revealed a mass in the chest, diagnosed as a thymoma (a type of tumor) that was causing myasthenia gravis (a condition affecting muscle control). The cat underwent a minimally invasive surgery to remove the mass and a nearby lymph node, and he recovered well without major issues. Nineteen months later, he showed some stiffness in his hind legs, but further tests showed no new masses.
People also search for: cat weakness and coughing · thymoma in cats · myasthenia gravis treatment cat · cat surgery recovery · cat hind limb stiffness
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the use of low-pressure carbon dioxide insufflation during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for resection of a noninvasive thymoma in a cat with secondary myasthenia gravis. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMAL: Client-owned cat. METHODS: An 11-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was examined for generalized weakness, voice change, hypersalivation, hyporexia, vomiting, coughing, and gagging. Thoracic ultrasound revealed a cranial mediastinal mass for which cytology was consistent with a thymoma (or lymphoid tissue). Acetylcholine receptor antibody concentration was elevated at 3.16 mmol/L (reference interval < 0.3 mmol/L). Thoracic computed tomography showed two round, contrast-enhancing structures in the cranioventral mediastinum identified as the sternal lymph node and a cranial mediastinal mass (11 × 17 × 24 mm). A presumptive diagnosis of thymoma with paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis was made and surgical resection of both mediastinal masses was recommended. RESULTS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of the cranial mediastinal mass and sternal lymph node were performed with low-pressure carbon dioxide insufflation maintained at an intrathoracic pressure of 2-3 mmHg. The cat recovered from surgery without serious complications. Nineteen months after surgery, the cat developed hind limb stiffness. Thoracic radiographs ruled out a cranial mediastinal mass or megaesophagus. Acetylcholine receptor antibody concentration remained elevated at 2.72 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: Low-pressure thoracic insufflation facilitated video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of cranial mediastinal masses in this cat.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27398682/