Cervical neoplasia originating from the vagus nerve in a dog

An eight-year-old intact male Bernese mountain dog was referred with a history of chronic vomiting, coughing and signs of respiratory distress. Other historical findings included lethargy, weight loss and choking. On presentation, clinical findings were Horner's syndrome, ipsilateral laryngeal hemiplegia, coughing, gagging, respiratory distress and vomiting. Lateral cervical radiographs showed ill-defined mineralisation in the soft tissue ventral to the third cervical vertebra, while ultrasonography of the neck revealed a well marginated heterogeneous mass with focal hyperechogenic lesions and acoustic shadowing. Results of an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate suggested neoplasia. At necropsy, a large tumour was detected in the ventral cervical region, originating from the right vagosympathetic trunk. In view of the infiltrating pattern, the cellular pleomorphism and the numerous mitoses on histopathological examination, the tumour was classified as a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour.