Olfactory neuroblastoma in a goat

Nasal tumours are uncommon in goats, with lymphoma, enzootic intranasal tumours and polyps being the most commonly reported. Nasal neuroectodermal tumours are rarely described and olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), an infrequent neuroepithelial neoplasm originating from the cribriform plate, is poorly documented in this species. Herein we report the clinical presentation and necropsy findings of an 8-year-old goat with a confirmed diagnosis of ONB. The goat was presented in respiratory distress following a history of chronic respiratory noise and an intranasal, right-side infiltrative mass was detected on radiographs. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia was performed. Post-mortem examination revealed that the nasal cavity was bilaterally occupied by a round, creamy-grey, soft mass measuring 1 × 3 cm and extending to the nasopharynx. Histologically, a malignant neuroepithelial neoplasm was diagnosed based on its infiltrative growth and the characteristic pattern of Homer Wright and Flexner-Wistersteiner-like rosettes. Immunohistochemical characterization was performed using an antibody panel composed of cytokeratin AE1/AE3, cytokeratin 8, beta III tubulin, vimentin, COX-2, E-cadherin, chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The immunoprofile confirmed the diagnosis of an ONB, with neoplastic cells being only positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and beta-III tubulin. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first description of ONB in goats.