Case Study

Mast Cell of Lymph Node in a 14 year old MN Springer Spaniel dog

This 14-year-old MN Springer Spaniel was presented for decreased appetite, vomiting, and melena that was non responsive to medical therapy. The clinical condition was rapidly declining. The physical exam was uneventful. Blood analysis revealed a progressively, mildly elevated ALT and mildly elevated SAP in serial samples over a 3-week period

This 14-year-old MN Springer Spaniel was presented for decreased appetite, vomiting, and melena that was non responsive to medical therapy. The clinical condition was rapidly declining. The physical exam was uneventful. Blood analysis revealed a progressively, mildly elevated ALT and mildly elevated SAP in serial samples over a 3-week period

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Mesenteric lymphadenopathy, reactive or infiltrative.

Image Interpretation

A large, ovoid lymph node with an echogenic, homogeneous echotexture is visualized adjacent to the mesenteric root. On the second image, the linear echogenicity located at the one o`clock position represents the biopsy needle.

DX

Mast cell of lymph node

Outcome

The owner selected euthanasia after being offered a chemotherapeutic protocol of Velban/CCNU by the referring oncologist.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI pathology – Cholangiohepatitis, inflammatory hepatopathy, gastroenteritis, ulceration, IBD, gastrointestinal or other neoplasia, GI foreign body, infectious disease; pancreatic pathology – pancreatitis; toxicosis

Sampling

US-guided 18 ga biopsy revealed lymphadenitis with a mixed lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic cell population. A repeat 16 ga US-guided sample revealed mast cell neoplasia of the lymph node.