Diagnosis and treatment of a low‐grade tracheal B‐cell lymphoma and associated complications in a mixed breed cat

Abstract

This case report describes a low-grade malignant B-cell lymphoma (lymphocytic lymphoma) in a 14-year-old mixed breed cat, diagnosed by bronchoscopy and diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography). The patient was treated with surgery, and postoperative complications included blindness and a severe mycoplasma infection of the thoracic cavity, which was treated using a vacuum-assisted closure device. Long-term therapy with prednisolone and chlorambucil and outcome with a survival time of 1385 days after discharge are also presented.

Radiographic and computed tomographic characteristics of intraluminal tracheal adenoma in a cat

“…trachea is observed in almost all cases of tracheal masses diagnosed in veterinary medicine. 2,[4][5][6][7][8][9] In this study, the intraluminal tracheal adenoma appeared as a dome-shaped soft tissue opacity in the carina on radiography. Therefore, tracheal tumors should be considered as a differential diagnosis when soft tissue opacity structures are observed within the trachea on radiography.…”

“…In one study, the abnormalities of the trachea and main bronchus were missed on chest radiography, resulting in a sensitivity of 66% 3 in humans. However, despite the low sensitivity of radiography in humans, most tracheal tumors, except annular masses, appear as distinct intratracheal masses, and narrowing of the trachea is observed in almost all cases of tracheal masses diagnosed in veterinary medicine 2,4–9 . In this study, the intraluminal tracheal adenoma appeared as a dome‐shaped soft tissue opacity in the carina on radiography.…”

“…Tracheal neoplasia is rarely reported in cats, 4,6 and tracheal adenomas have not been previously reported in cats. In this study, tracheal adenoma was observed as homogeneous enhancement and had an attenuation of 112 ± 15 HU on enhanced CT in the carina and left and right proximal main bronchus.…”

“…CT scans are not always performed in all cases of suspected tracheal masses in veterinary medicine, unlike in human medicine, although CT may be helpful for the diagnosis of patients with persistent respiratory clinical symptoms but no specific changes with radiography. 9 Tracheal neoplasia is rarely reported in cats, 4,6 and tracheal adenomas have not been previously reported in cats. In this study, tracheal adenoma was observed as homogeneous enhancement and had an attenuation of 112 ± 15 HU on enhanced CT in the carina and left and right proximal main bronchus.…”

“…There was no evidence of invasion beyond the trachea. Compared with the CT features of several previous tracheal tumor cases, tracheal osteochondroma presents as a partially mineralized, broad-based mass within the tracheal lumen in a dog on CT. 14 Tracheal lymphoma presents as a homogeneous and ovoid mass of soft tissue attenuation in a cat on CT. 6,15 Another case of tracheal lymphoma in a cat was presented as a contrast-enhancing fusiform mass in the dorsal tracheal wall, which displaced the dorsal membrane ventrally. 9 Tracheal adenocarcinoma also shows a soft-tissue attenuating mass, with no other distinctive features reported.…”