October 2011

1011
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History: Dog, crossbreed, 7 years, male

Diagnosis: Heart, right ventricle: peripheral nerve sheath tumor (formalin fixed specimen)

Description: Macroscopically, a large multilobulated mass extended from the right free wall, almost completely occluding the lumen of the right ventricle. The cut surface was of white to reddish color and the mass had a firm texture.

Comments: Clinically, the dog had signs of cardiac insufficiency. Cardiac ultrasound led to the diagnosis of a tumor and the dog was euthanized due to poor prognosis. Necropsy confirmed neoplasia and associated severe hepatic congestion with serosanguinous abdominal effusion. Histology was consistent with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) composed of mainly spindle cells arranged in bundles and whorls with multifocal prominent myocardial invasion. While these tumors are commonly observed in the canine skin, the cardiac location presented here is considered rare and, as in this case, mostly affects the right atrial or ventricular wall.

Picture by: Anja Meyer, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

Author: Anja Meyer, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany