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Hemothorax in Three Dogs with Intrathoracic Extracardiac Hemangiosarcoma
Lynda Rutherford1, Anneliese Stell1, Ken Smith1
1From the Department of Pathology (K.S.), Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Group, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, United Kingdom (L.R., A.S., N.K.).
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
|August 4, 2016
Summary
Intrathoracic extracardiac hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a rare canine cancer causing sudden breathing difficulty. Surgical removal offers palliative care for this condition, though outcomes vary.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary oncology
- Comparative pathology
Background:
- Intrathoracic extracardiac hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an uncommon diagnosis in canine patients.
- This condition can present as acute dyspnea due to hemorrhagic pleural effusion.
Observation:
- Three dogs presented with acute dyspnea and hemorrhagic pleural effusion.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed intrathoracic masses not originating from the heart or lungs.
- Histopathology confirmed the masses as hemangiosarcoma.
Findings:
- Initial stabilization included thoracocentesis and fluid resuscitation.
- Surgical exploration was performed, with complete resection achieved in two of three cases.
- Outcomes varied, with one dog euthanized intraoperatively, another at one month post-surgery, and one alive at five months.
Implications:
- Intrathoracic extracardiac HSA should be a key differential diagnosis for dogs with nontraumatic hemothorax.
- Surgical intervention can provide palliative care for canine patients with this rare tumor.
