Goat Skull Radiographs Beef Cow Radiography

• Journal List
• Ir Vet J
• v.65(one); 2012
• PMC3443040

Ir Vet J. 2012; 65(1): xv.

Maxillary osteosarcoma in a beef suckler cow

Diether G J Prins

¹Scottish Heart for Product Animal Health & Food Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, G61 1QH, UK

²Paragon Veterinarian Grouping, Townhead Farm, New Biggin about Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT, Britain

Thomas Wittek

¹Scottish Centre for Product Animal Health & Food Safety, Schoolhouse of Veterinarian Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, G61 1QH, U.k.

³Vetmeduni Vienna, Clinic for Ruminants, Veterinärplatz 1, A 1210, Vienna, Republic of austria

David C Barrsett

^aneScottish Center for Production Animal Health & Nutrient Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, G61 1QH, UK

^fourSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK

Received 2011 Sep 22; Accepted 2012 May 31.

Abstract

A ten-year-old beef suckler cow was referred to the Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health & Food Rubber of the University of Glasgow, because of facial swelling in the region of the right maxilla. The facial swelling was offset noticed 3 months earlier and was caused by a dull growing oral mass which independent displaced, loosely embedded teeth. The radiographic, laboratory and clinicopathological findings are described. Necropsy, gross pathology and histological findings confirmed the mass as a maxillary osteosarcoma.

Keywords: Osteosarcoma, Cow, Neoplasia, Maxilla

Background

Facial swelling in subcontract animals can be caused by various diseases and trauma and often involve soft tissues or bone of the oropharynx. Well known causes of facial swelling in cattle are actinomycosis and actinobacillosis, but soft tissue abscesses, dental or periodontal diseases, facial os fractures, salivary gland or sinus problems and neoplasia tin all be underlying causes of facial swelling. Abattoir surveys indicate that the general incidence of neoplasms of the oropharynx in cattle is low [1,2] with tumours such equally carcinomas, fibromas, sarcomas and papillomas [3-six] reported near unremarkably. These tumours tin occur spontaneously or afterward chronic ingestion of foodstuff with a mutagenic event such every bit bracken fern [2,6,7].

Correct nomenclature of tumours of the oropharynx can exist hard as a considerable interrelationship among epithelial structures, soft mesenchymal structures, bone and cartilage can result in tumours of mixed origin [4,eight]. Diagnostic imaging, pathology and other diagnostic methods tin be used to correctly diagnose oral masses, consider possible treatment options and predict prognosis. This case report describes the radiographic, laboratory and clinicopathological findings of a rare maxillary osteosarcoma in a beefiness suckler cow.

Case report

A ten-yr-old Limousin cross cow was referred to the Scottish Centre for Production Animate being Health & Nutrient Safety of the Academy of Glasgow with facial swelling of the correct maxilla (Figure ​ 1). The swelling was kickoff noticed approximately three months earlier and had connected to enlarge since then. Approximately two weeks earlier referral the cow started to loose trunk condition and developed diarrhoea. It was causeless that the swelling interfered with proper mastication and the referring veterinarian referred the beast assuming soft tissue swelling in the oral cavity acquired by a molar root infection. No handling was given at this stage.

Unilateral facial swelling in a 10-year-erstwhile Limousin cross cow.

Upon arrival, the cow was bright, alert and showed normal ambition and mastication. Nonetheless, profuse diarrhoea was nowadays. Unilateral facial swelling was noticed (Figure ​ one). The trunk status score was two out of 5 [nine]. On physical examination the cow had a normal rectal temperature (38.iii°C) and respiratory rate (24 breaths/infinitesimal) but was tachycardic (94 bpm). A big business firm swelling (approximately 25 × 15 cm) was present on the right maxilla. Air movement from both nares was detected and a bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge was present. On oral inspection, a firm, ulcerated, non-painful mass, protruded from the right maxilla (Effigy ​ 2). Halitosis was marked. The mass contained displaced, loosely embedded maxillary teeth.

Oral mass protruding from the right maxilla.

Heamatology results revealed a leukopenia (2.84 × 10^ix/L) and lymphocytopenia (1.193 × 10^nine /50). Biochemical assay indicated low calcium (1.94 mmol/L), magnesium (0.48 mmol/L) and albumin (16 thou/L) concentrations while globulin (72 g/L) and total protein (88 m/50) concentrations were slightly elevated; the albumin/globulin ratio was decreased. No abnormal findings were reported on bacteriology and parasitology of a faecal sample. Bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) antibiotic detection was positive simply virus detection was negative. Johne'due south disease serology was negative.

Culturing of samples taken from the mucopurulent nasal belch isolated the following bacteria and fungi: Trueperella (Arcanobacterium pyogenes), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp., and Candida spp. A small superficial section (i × 1 cm) of the mass was removed for bacteriological and histopathological examination. Culture results of the mass indicated sparse cultures of Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus epidermidis and Weeksiella virosa. Histological results showed infiltration of fibrous tissue with inflammatory cells, many of which contained leaner. No signs resembling Actinomyces bovis were found, sulphur granules were not observed. Neoplastic cells were too not observed in this initial tissue sample.

Laterolateral radiographs of the head showed that the maxillary premolar and tooth teeth were displaced or missing and that parts of the sinuses and oral cavity had been replaced past soft-tissue and os opacities. Multiple gas-fluid interfaces were observed within the mass, suggestive of abscesses or necrotic tissue. Slight radiolucencies were observed in the maxilla. Although many maxillary premolar and molar teeth were displaced or missing, no radiographic signs suggestive of tooth root infection were present. A dorsoventral radiograph showed the three dimensional extent of the mass. The combination of bacterial, civilisation, histology and radiographic results failed to support a diagnosis of either, actinomycosis, actinobacillosis, tooth root infection, salivary gland or sinus pathologies or fracture of facial bones. Despite the absenteeism of neoplastic cells in a sample of the mass, a presumptive diagnosis of neoplasia with secondary soft-tissue infection and bacterial osteomyelitis was made. A grave prognosis was given, but as the animal showed no clinical signs of pain it was decided to initiate handling. An antimicrobial and not-steroidal treatment was initiated with clavulanic acid and amoxicillin (Synulox^tm, Pfizer Ltd, Sandwich, Kent) and ketoprofen (Ketofen^TM 10%, Merial Animate being Health Ltd, Harlow, Essex). Despite treatment, facial swelling continued to enlarge. Needle aspiration of the external buccal swelling confirmed the presence of purulent cloth. The external buccal pare was lanced and approximately 100 mL of purulent material was retrieved. Antimicrobial handling was changed to procaine penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin sulphate (Pen & Strep, Norbrook®, Carlisle, Cumbria) post-obit antibiotic sensitivity results of the cultured bacteria. However, soon at that place-after, mastication was severely impaired and the cow started to drop her cud and stopped eating. Given the perceived extent of the mass and the grave prognosis information technology was decided to euthanase the cow at this stage.

At necropsy the cow was thin and at that place was a bolus of food lodged in an outpouching of the correct upper cheek. The cheek papillae were shine. A firm, large oral mass was apparent (Figure ​ 2). The mass was diamond shaped with its centre in the hard palate and the rostral indicate at the eight^th palatine ridge. The mass extended caudally for a distance of 18 cm to a point on the correct palate contrary the final molar tooth. The lateral indicate of the mass lay beyond the right upper dental arcade where the growth of the mass had either displaced or destroyed the molar teeth. The surface of the mass was nodular and irregular and was composed of firm fleshy grey-white tissue to which nutrient was adherent. The centre of the mass formed open units, lined with foul smelling tissue above which the aforementioned greyness-white tissue could exist establish. The mass filled the palatine sinus and extended into the maxillary sinus. The texture of the mass in these areas was gritty. The mandibular lymph nodes were irregularly shaped and enlarged to approximately two times normal size. They contained multiple gritty foci. Poorly masticated food was present in the rumen but in that location was no evidence of tumour spread to other organs such as the lungs, despite an extensive mail mortem examination. No other abnormalities were detected in the digestive tract.

Microscopic examination confirmed the mass as an osteosarcoma. The neoplasm cells were pleomorphic and spindle shaped with plump oval nuclei (Figure ​ 3). In the superficial parts of the tumour, these cells were accompanied past fine strands of osteoid which became distinct islands, mineralized in places, in the deeper parts of the tumour. Mitotic figures were very common in the cellular areas (Figure ​ 3).

Microscopic image of necropsy findings. HE. Osteosarcoma tumour with pleomorphic and spindle shaped neoplasm cells (white arrows) accompanied by osteoid (circles). Few mitotic figures can be seen (black arrows).

At that place was a lymphadenitis composed of caseous type material in the mandibular lymph nodes. Sheets of macrophages distorted the node construction and at that place were areas of necrosis and calcification. Multinucleated behemothic cells were obvious. Acid fast organisms were not detected on smears performed of the node nor were they visible on histological sections. Rod shaped organisms were not detected on Gram stains performed of the node but a Pasteurella-like organism was isolated on routine bacteriological culture.

Discussion

Clinical test of this case revealed a profuse diarrhoea and a large oral mass causing facial swelling whilst necropsy likewise revealed lymphadenitis in the mandibular lymph nodes. No obvious reason for the diarrhoea was detected and it was hypothesized that the mass severely interfered with proper mastication and rumination causing a digestive upset resulting in diarrhoea. Although caseous lymphadenitis is a distinct disease entity of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Gram stains of the lymph node failed to identify C. pseudotuberculosis. The verbal cause of the lymphadenitis in this case remains unclear, although it is assumed to be secondary to the neoplasm and its associated infection.

In this example, histological investigation undertaken post mortem revealed a diagnosis of maxillary osteosarcoma. These tumours are non frequently diagnosed in cattle in field circumstances, but if osteosarcomas are nowadays they oft develop in the skull of veterinary species [10-15] oft causing facial swelling or deformities. Osteosarcomas are composed of tumour cells that produce osteoid or bone and typically outcome in bone destruction and new os formation, invade side by side soft tissues and oftentimes metastasize [12,16-xviii]. However this example and a previously described bovine osteosarcoma case [14] report invasion of side by side tissues merely absence of metastasis, suggesting that, although the neoplasm is locally very aggressive, it does not easily spread to other parts of the body of cattle. However, more reported cases of bovine osteosarcomas are needed to confirm this observation.

Osteosarcoma in humans and pocket-sized animals are frequently treated with aggressive surgical procedures frequently in combination with radiations and/or chemotherapy [xix]. In cattle these techniques are usually impractical [14] considering of the location of the neoplasm and the chancy consequences regarding food condom. In most cases any kind of treatment in cattle would not be economically feasible.

Conclusions

Although several diagnostic methods were used, only after mail service mortem examination and histopathology was a definitive diagnosis of osteosarcoma made. The infiltrative nature, key areas of cavitation and necrosis, and the scattered areas of osteoid matrix are characteristic of osteosarcoma. Despite few reports in cattle, osteosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of firm oral masses in cattle.

Upstanding approval

This individual clinical case was non involved in any experimental research and was thus not bailiwick to prior review by an ethics commission, although its acquisition, diagnosis, treatment and subsequent slaughter falls within the canonical upstanding procedures of the Academy of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

Diether Prins drafted the work, performed the clinical work-up, sample collection, radiography and treatment. David Barrett supervised the clinical piece of work regarding this instance. Both Thomas Wittek and David Barrett were involved in the revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

D. Prins is a RCVS Trust supported Product Animal Resident. The authors would similar to thank Hal Thompson and Richard Irvine (Veterinary Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Glasgow) for their help with the necropsy, photography and the post mortem written report of this case.

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