Ocular and multicentric lymphoma in a young racehorse

Abstract

A 6-year-old thoroughbred gelding was presented with a history of blepharospasm and opacity in the OS of 1 weeks' duration. Ophthalmic examination findings were consistent with acute uveitis in the OS, and traditional treatment was initiated with systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, topical mydriatics, and corticosteroids. During the total treatment period of 4 weeks response to treatment was weak and the horse developed further problems such as cellulitis of the right hind limb with fever and eventually weight loss and dependent edema. Blood work was indicative of liver disease. Abdominal sonography revealed severe splenomegaly and slight hepatomegaly, and a liver biopsy confirmed malignant T-cell lymphoma. The horse was euthanized due to deteriorating general condition and subsequently underwent postmortem examination. Necropsy and histologic examination revealed a multicentric lymphoma with involvement of spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and OU.The findings in this case demonstrate that the differential diagnosis of intraocular and systemic lymphoma should be considered in any horse presenting with anterior uveitis, especially when uveitis is unresponsive to treatment and when additional systemic signs of illness such as lethargy, fever, weight loss, or dependent edema arise.Cytological examination of aqueous humor may provide a rapid diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma in eyes with clinical uveitis.

The outcome of pars plana vitrectomy in horses with equine recurrent uveitis with regard to the presence or absence of intravitreal antibodies against various serovars of Leptospira interrogans

“…Iridocyclitis and chorioretinitis have been seen in foals with septicemia (Latimer and Wyman 1985), and we have seen bilateral anterior uveitis in a foal with an umbilical infection and bacteremia. Uveitis may also be the result of multicentric neoplasms (Germann et al 2008). Most forms of equine ulcerative keratitis are accompanied by some degree of anterior uveitis (Nasisse and Nelms 1992).…”

Pericardial effusion and congestive heart failure in a horse with multicentric lymphoma

“…Previous case reports have described more unusual presentations of lymphoma, such as uveitis,7 acute-onset ataxia,8 swelling of the epididymides9 and inferior palpebral swelling,10 but to the authors’ knowledge there are no existing reports of CHF being the principal presenting complaint for a horse subsequently diagnosed with lymphoma.…”

Multicentric lymphoma in a pony presented as a case of metastatic strangles

“…Reported presentations include acute uveitis, adverse vaccine reaction, rabies, septicaemia in a foal and a range of different presentations of ataxia (Neufeld 1973, Tomlinson and others 1979, Germann and others 2008, McGovern and others 2011, Finding and others 2014). …”

“…More invasive diagnostics such as solid organ biopsies of liver or lymph nodes have been proven useful and diagnostic in other cases (McClure and others 2001 Germann and others 2008) and should be considered if a non-diagnostic FNA is obtained. This was not performed in this case due to the risk of bleeding in an anaemic animal together with economic restraints.…”