Splenic mast cell tumour and mastocytaemia in a cat: case study and literature review |
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| Authors: | R Allan T R Halsey KG Thompson |
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| Institution: | 1. Pathobiology Section, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University , Palmerston North, New Zealand;2. Centre for Companion Animal Health, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University , Palmerston North, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | Case: An 11-year-old female domestic shorthaired cat presenting with clinical signs of depression, anorexia, weight loss, fever, anaemia and a mid-abdominal mass was referred for abdominal ultrasound examination. Clinical findings: Ultrasonography of the abdomen identified a markedly enlarged spleen. Ultrasound-guided fine- needle aspiration biopsy of the spleen revealed a uniform population of mast cells, 11% of which were observed to have phagocytosed erythrocytes. It is speculated that this may have been a contributing factor in the development of anaemia in this case. Mast cells were detected in a peripheral-blood smear and a diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (splenic mast cell tumour together with mastocytaemia) was made. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by histopathology of the spleen. Conclusion: Splenectomy and treatment with corticosteroids appears to have resulted in remission of clinical signs and anaemia. A reduction in the concentration of mast cells in the peripheral blood had not occurred 6 weeks post- splenectomy, but was evident by 10 months post-splenectomy. |
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| Keywords: | Cat mast cell spleen systemic mastocytosis mastocytaemia erythrophagocytosis |
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