July 2009

07
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History: Horse, Paso Fino, 17 years.

Diagnoses: Pleura and lung: Multiple metastases of a hemangiosarcoma (originating from the 6th thoracic vertebra)

Description: The costal pleura shows multiple, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, red nodules. Also in the lung some smaller, dark masses are visible.

Comments: Clinical symptoms included colic, moderate dyspnoea and difficulty lifting the head. Necropsy revealed a pathological fracture of the 6th thoracic vertebra due to an infiltrative neoplasm metastasing into intercostal skeletal muscles, lung, mediastinum, and pericardium. Histological examination identified the neoplasm as a highly malignant hemangiosarcoma. Positive immunhistochemical staining for Factor VIII related antigen (Von Willebrand Factor) confirmed the diagnosis of a vascular neoplasm with endothelial origin.

Picture by:     Susanne Mauel, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany

Author:  Susanne Mauel, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany