Case Of the Month

Abdominal Mass…..on a Boa Constrictor!

SonoPath goes exotic! A 26-year-old Boa Constrictor with an abdominal mass.

Patient managed by Dr. Todd Wolf, Companion AH, Parsippany, NJ, USA and imaged by Dr. Eric Lindquist of SonoPath.com & NJ Mobile Associates, Sparta, NJ, USA.

SonoPath goes exotic! A 26-year-old Boa Constrictor with an abdominal mass.

Patient managed by Dr. Todd Wolf, Companion AH, Parsippany, NJ, USA and imaged by Dr. Eric Lindquist of SonoPath.com & NJ Mobile Associates, Sparta, NJ, USA.

History: A 26-year-old male Boa Constrictor (Image 1) was presented for anorexia & weight loss over last 4 months. The clinical exam revealed good body condition and attitude. A caudal abdominal mass was palpable. Blood analysis revealed elevated total protein and calcium levels. Mild elevation of uric acid was also present.

Outcome

The patient responded well postoperatively and was asymptomatic 6 weeks post-op and eating normally after 4 months of anorexia.

Comments

Special thanks to: Todd Wolf DVM, DABVP & staff at Companion Animal Hospital, Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, for providing this patient for evaluation.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

(Wolf DVM, DABVP): Caudal abdominal neoplasia of renal, reproductive, intestinal origin, abscess, granuloma, obstipation.

Sampling

(Wolf DVM, DABVP): Laparotomy revealed a testicular mass that was successfully removed. Histopathology: Seminoma (Image 7)

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

(Lindquist DMV, DABVP): Solitary mass deriving from reproductive or renal origin; likely surgically resectable.

Image Interpretation

(Wolf DVM, DABVP):
(Image 2) A homogeneous soft tissue mass is evident and rules out obstipation. Radiographic Differential: Caudal coelomic neoplasia/tumor, abscess, granuloma.