Hepatic lymphangiomatosis in a young dog

A 9-month-old intact male American cocker spaniel was referred because of hepatomegaly and ascites. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the liver revealed congestion and increased parenchymal echogenicity with focal and more hyperechoic nodules. Histopathology of the hepatic lesion revealed diffuse, ill-defined vascular proliferation. A single layer of endothelial cells, which showed signs of minimal cellular atypia, lined the irregular vessels. On immunohistochemistry, the proliferative endothelial cells lining the irregular vessels were positive for an antiserum to factor VIII related antigen. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with hepatic lymphangiomatosis.