Case Study

Suspect pancreatic carcinoma in a 15 year old FS Mixed breed dog

A 15-year-old FS mixed breed dog with a history of being Ehrlichia positive, hypothyroid, having a grade 2 mast cell tumor, and a tumor on the right rear leg, was presented for evaluation of diarrhea and decreased appetite. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry were mild anemia, elevated amylase, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia.

A 15-year-old FS mixed breed dog with a history of being Ehrlichia positive, hypothyroid, having a grade 2 mast cell tumor, and a tumor on the right rear leg, was presented for evaluation of diarrhea and decreased appetite. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry were mild anemia, elevated amylase, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia.

DX

Suspect pancreatic neoplasia.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Right limb pancreatic mass, mineralizing. This is highly suggestive of pancreatic carcinoma. Fine-needle aspirates would be warranted. There is a minor possibility of necrosis. Recommend ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates of the pancreatic mass as well as empirical treatment for pancreatitis. If no neoplasia is noted then pancreatitis protocol should be followed. However, this is highly suspicious of pancreatic carcinoma.

Image Interpretation

The pancreas presented a 4 x 3 cm, hypoechoic and focally mineralizing mass at the right pancreatic base. Associated periportal and upper gastrointestinal lymphadenopathy was noted. This mass was not resectable and most consistent with pancreatic carcinoma given the mineralization.

Outcome

No further outcome is available.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI clinical signs- IBD, neoplasia, parasites, dietary hypersensitivity, foreign body, intussusception.
Pancreas clinical signs- pancreatitis, neoplasia. Systemic disease – metastatic neoplasia, Ehrlichiosis.