An Intra-Abdominal Malignant Mesenchymoma Associated with Nonabsorbable Sutures in a Ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo)

Abstract

Abstract. A 6-year-old ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with abdominal enlargement. Clinical examination revealed an intra-abdominal mass measuring approximately 5 cm in diameter. Abdominal survey radiographs revealed a sharply marginated mass with multifocal radiodense foci, suggestive of pathologic calcification. A complete blood cell count revealed a moderate, normocytic, normochromic, nonregenerative anemia. The mass was surgically removed en bloc, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution, and routinely processed for histologic and immunohistochemical investigation. The neoplastic tissue consisted of a mixed neoplastic cell population, including osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma components. Immunohistochemistry revealed that both neoplastic cell populations were positive for vimentin and negative for actin (smooth and striated), desmin, and myoglobin. Nonabsorbable suture material was admixed with the neoplastic tissue in the histologic section. This material was birefringent when viewed microscopically under polarized light.

Splenic malignant mesenchymoma in a dog - immunophenotypic features and clinicopathological ramifications: a case report

“…These tumours consist of multiple cell types and matrix components of mesenchymal origin, including osteoid, chondroid, and collagen (Spangler et al 1994;Dennis et al 2011). Abdominal, thoracic, skeletal, and submandibular malignant mesenchymomas have been reported in dogs (McDonald and Helman 1986;Hahn and Richardson 1989;Robinson et al 1998;Machida et al 2003;Murphy et al 2006;Petterino et al 2010;Gomez-Laguna et al 2012). These tumours have a slower growth rate, but tend to become very large (Moore et al 1983).…”