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