Pericardial lipoma in a geriatric dog with an incidentally discovered thoracic mass

Abstract

An intrathoracic mass was discovered as an incidental finding in a 14-year-old, spayed, female Rottweiler cross during evaluation of urinary incontinence. Computed tomography suggested a pericardial or pleural location and high adipose content of the mass. The mass was removed via lateral thoracotomy with partial pericardectomy and was diagnosed as a pericardial lipoma. The dog recovered well, and there was no evidence of recurrence approximately one year later. Adipose tumours of the heart and its associated structures are rare in dogs and have been associated with both successful and fatal outcomes.

Pulmonary lipoma in a dog

“…They most often affect subcutaneous (sc) tissues in dogs, frequently occurring on the trunk, gluteal region and proximal limbs (Meuten 2002). Lipomas are rarely located within the thorax in dogs, but have been reported in the mediastinum, pericardium, heart and pleura (Strafuss et al 1973, Woolfson et al 1984, Wilson and Hawe 1985, Anderson & Lippincott 1989, Miles & Clarke 2001, Kolm et al 2002, Mayhew & Brockman 2002, Brambilla et al 2006, Ben-Amotz et al 2007. There appear to be no reports of pulmonary lipoma in the dog.…”

Das infiltrative Lipom beim Hund: eine retrospektive Studie von fünf Fällen

“…Ebenso ermöglichen die einfachen bildgebenden Verfahren wie Röntgen und Ultraschall oft keine sichere Abgrenzung der unterschiedlichen Lipomformen (3-5, 7, 12, 13, 15). Im Gegensatz hierzu erlauben Computer-oder Magnetresonanztomographie die sichere Unterscheidung zwischen Lipomen, infiltrativen Lipomen und Liposarkomen (3,4,11,15,16,18).…”

“…Für ältere und adipöse Hündinnen besteht eine Prädisposition. Eine Rassenprädisposition liegt nicht vor (3,5,(9)(10)(11)(12)21).…”

What Is Your Diagnosis?

“…[1][2][3][4] Although lipomas can often be suspected on the basis of their radiographic appearance (fat density), infarcted or necrotic lipomas can be misleading in that they may appear as soft tissue or mixed density masses, even with an advanced imaging technique such as computed tomography (CT). [1][2][3][4] Although lipomas can often be suspected on the basis of their radiographic appearance (fat density), infarcted or necrotic lipomas can be misleading in that they may appear as soft tissue or mixed density masses, even with an advanced imaging technique such as computed tomography (CT).…”