Computed Tomographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Oral Melanoma in a Dog

Abstract

Oral melanoma is the most common type of oral tumor in dogs. In this report, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to diagnose a right oral pigmented mass in an 8-year-old dog. The oral mass appeared as a homogeneous soft tissue density parenchyma on pre-contrast CT images, and with heterogeneous enhancement on post-contrast images. Bone destruction of the right mandibular body around the mass and mild enlargement of the right mandibular lymph node were also found. On MRI, the bulky oral mass showed mixed hyperintensity and isointensity compared to the adjacent muscle, where irregular hyperintensity on T1-weighted images corresponded to hypointensity on the T2-weighted images. Based on the physical examinations and imaging results, melanoma was suspected and confirmed via fine-needle aspiration. These unique MRI signals were due to the high paramagnetic melanin content in the tumor, therefore MRI examination could be useful for diagnosis of melanoma.