PARAVERTEBRAL MASSES IN BLUE-TAILED MONITOR,VARANUS DORIANUS,INDICATIVE OF SOFT-TISSUE INFECTION WITH ASSOCIATED OSTEOMYELITIS

Abstract

Paravertebral osseous masses in reptiles have been attributed to Paget's disease on the basis of histology. Histologically recognized mosaic architecture and cement lines, however, lack specificity. A Varanus dorianus with this condition was subjected to standard and computerized tomography. Because the masses were extraskeletal in nature, Paget's disease could be excluded. Although interpretation of the computed tomography suggested the process to be entirely extraskeletal, standard radiographs revealed disorganized vertebral architecture characteristic of osteomyelitis, crossing intervertebral spaces. Posttraumatic myositis ossificans and calcified hematoma were confidently excluded as diagnoses. The etiology of paraspinal masses in this V. dorianus appears attributable to infection, with infection of a puncture wound hypothesized as the underlying process. If one extrapolates the findings in this one animal, it seems reasonable to suggest that consideration be given to investigating the possibility of an infectious origin when similar masses are recognized in other reptiles.

Myositis ossificans traumatica with associated pseudarthroses in an adult from Late Bronze Age Athens, Greece

“…Trauma, with or without infection, can produce dystrophic calcifications, and these have been documented in the paravertebral area. Dystrophic calcifications may efface the intervertebral spaces and produce skeletal changes (Moore et al, 2016; Rothschild, 2014). While the vertebra in the individual from K2:5 are incomplete, the morphology of the lumbar vertebrae has been maintained in the structures adjacent to the mass.…”

Ultrasonographic anatomy of reproductive female leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

“…Ultrasound examination of the brain would be a noninvasive technique to rule out large intracerebral lesions in these cases. Ultrasound examination of the tail could be useful to evaluate hemipene lesions, as reported in other lizards, as well infectious skeletal lesions which often affect vertebrae in lizards …”