engleski

Slow growing scapular osteosarcoma in a Pug - a case report

A scapular bone tumor in a 7-year-old male Pug is described. The Pug accidentally ran into a door six years before and started to limp on his front right leg. A small mass was noticed by the Pug’s owners on his right shoulder which was ignored by the veterinarian. The mass increased in size until it became 9 cm in diameter and the dog was not using his leg occasionally. Finally the dog was referred to the Surgery, Ophthalmology and Orthopedics Clinic for further diagnostics. Following complete clinical and orthopedic examinations, an X-ray of the right scapula was performed and a neoplasia of the scapulae was suspected. A biopsy and histopathological examination was recommended in order to rule out osteosarcoma. The histopathological examination established the diagnosis of a highly productive, osteoblastic osteosarcoma of the right scapula with pulmonary metastasis. Prognosis was unfavorable due to metastases to the lungs evidenced by the X-ray. We report a case concerning an untreated scapular neoplasia with X-ray detectable lung metastases upon presentation at the Clinic. Proper diagnosis should be based on clinical examination, radiograph evaluation of the process and histopathological findings after bone biopsy. Blunt trauma can be a trigger for development of slow growing periosteal osteosarcoma, as described here. Treatment often include subtotal scapulectomy or forequarter amputation with adjuvant chemotherapy. Despite aggressive treatment, scapular osteosarcoma has a poor prognosis with low median survival time and disease free interval in dogs. Unfortunately the Pug’s owners refused the recommended treatment and the dog was euthanized 2 months later.

osteosarcoma ; scapula ; histopathology ; pug

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