Case Study

Intestinal Mast Cell Tumor in a 14 year old FS DSH cat

This 14-year-old FS DSH was presented for anorexia and weight loss. The physical exam revealed a mild focal intestinal thickening. The CBC revealed moderate regenerative anemia and moderate leukocytosis with a left shift and band cells. Blood chemistry was normal. Radiographs demonstrated an increased soft tissue opacity in the mid abdomen.

This 14-year-old FS DSH was presented for anorexia and weight loss. The physical exam revealed a mild focal intestinal thickening. The CBC revealed moderate regenerative anemia and moderate leukocytosis with a left shift and band cells. Blood chemistry was normal. Radiographs demonstrated an increased soft tissue opacity in the mid abdomen.

DX

Intestinal mast cell tumor

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Infiltrative neoplastic disease: most commonly lymphoma, mast cell, and adenocarcinoma. Other differentials for intestinal neoplasia in the cat include: fibrosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, plasmacytoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Inflammatory or granulomatous disease were considered less likely.

Image Interpretation

Image 1: Well defined but asymmetrically thickened bowel wall. The effected bowel wall lacks normal wall layering and possesses an undulating serosal margin. In the near field, the curvilinear echogenic focus traversing at the thickened wall may represent ulceration. Image 2: Color flow Doppler demonstrates moderate blood flow within the intestinal wall mass.