Case Study

Metastatic hemangiosarcoma in a 9 year old FS German Shepherd dog

A 9-year-old FS German shepherd dog presented for mild lethargy and partial anorexia. Physical examination was normal. Mildly elevated SAP, mildly elevated ALT, and mildly elevated AST levels with moderately increased GGTP were found on CBC and blood chemistry analysis. Urinalysis was normal.

A 9-year-old FS German shepherd dog presented for mild lethargy and partial anorexia. Physical examination was normal. Mildly elevated SAP, mildly elevated ALT, and mildly elevated AST levels with moderately increased GGTP were found on CBC and blood chemistry analysis. Urinalysis was normal.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Neoplasia is considered primarily. Dramatic nodular hyperplasia or abscessation are less likely.

Image Interpretation

Long-axis view of the left liver demonstrates mild generalized hepatic enlargement with distended and rounded serosal margins. A diffusely hypoechoic, nodular parenchyma is noted. Regional lymphadenopathy also is present in image 2.

DX

Metastatic hemangiosarcoma

Outcome

The patient was euthanized owing to poor prognosis and declining clinical status.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Liver pathology: Hepatitis, biliary calculi, neoplasia; Pancreatic pathology: pancreatitis; GI pathology: gastritis; orthopedic disease.

Sampling

An 18-gauge US-guided biopsy revealed metastatic hemangiosarcoma. A solitary 3-cm mildly cavitated splenic mass also was present without evidence of rupture or hemoabdomen.