Benign masses in the pericardium of two dogs

Case Report: Unusual Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia in an 8-Month-Old German Shepherd Dog, Associated With a Pericardial Pseudocyst and Coexisting Severe Pericardial Effusion Resulting in Right-Sided Heart Failure

Objective: This study aims to describe an unusual peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) in an 8-month-old German shepherd dog, associated with a pericardial pseudocyst and coexisting severe pericardial effusion resulting in right-sided heart failure.

Case Summary: An 8-month-old, male, intact, German shepherd dog, was referred for ascites. Echocardiography revealed a severe pericardial effusion with a cyst-like structure within the pericardium and consequently decompensated right-sided heart failure. The ascites was secondary to right-sided heart failure (cardiac tamponade). Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and abdomen was performed and showed PPDH with severe pericardial effusion and presence of a pericardial cyst-like structure; xyphoid cleft and Y-shaped seventh sternebra; and mild thickening along the cranioventral abdominal wall consistent with scar tissue from the previous umbilical hernia surgical repair. During surgery, the PPDH was corrected, and it was revealed that the remnant of the umbilical cord passed through it, into the pericardium. The cyst-like structure was successfully resected and sent for pathology. Histopathology showed signs of a chronic suppurative inflammation, with absence of a mesothelial or endothelial wall layer, thus consistent with a pseudocyst. Based on tomographic and surgical findings, it is suspected that the pseudocyst, together with the pericardial effusion, evolved by an inflammation of the remnant of the umbilical cord during the umbilical hernia surgical repair 1 month prior to presentation. The underlying PPDH most likely favored the development of the pericardial pseudocyst. However, due to prior antibiotic therapy initiated by the private vet, an infectious origin cannot be ruled out completely.

New or Unique Information Provided: There are a few case reports describing PPDH and/or pericardial pseudocysts in veterinary patients, but the current case report is unique, since it describes PPDH associated with a pericardial pseudocyst and coexisting severe pericardial effusion resulting in cardiac tamponade. As far as the authors know, such a case has not been described in veterinary medicine before.

Septic pericarditis and pericardial abscess secondary to a migrating foreign body in a dog

Abscess formation in the pericardial space has been described as a rare complication of trauma, congenital defects, penetrating foreign body, or extension of local myocardial infection in the dog. Presented here is a case of a juvenile dog with septic pericardial effusion secondary to an isolated intrapericardial abscess. Surgical pericardiectomy was successful in removing the abscess and nidus for septic effusion in this patient, and histopathology of the abscess tissue was suggestive of foreign plant material migration as the nidus for abscess formation. Recheck echocardiogram at the six-month postoperative period showed no recurrence of pericardial effusion or abscessation. Although abscess formation and septic pericarditis secondary to foreign body migration is an uncommon cause for large volume pericardial effusion, this should be considered as a differential particularly in a young and previously healthy dog.

Suspected intrapericardial lipoma in a standard schnauzer

A five-year-old, male, neutered standard schnauzer presented for vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. A large intrapericardial fatty mass was identified on advanced imaging. The patient underwent a median sternotomy and exploratory coeliotomy to remove the fatty mass measuring 100 mm x 76 mm x 66 mm, the histopathology of which revealed a large fatty mass with necrosis and inflammation. This is the largest reported intrapericardial fatty mass in the veterinary literature. CT at 28 weeks postoperatively revealed no evidence of recurrence.

Pericardial Hemangiosarcoma in a 10-Year-Old Papillon

A 10 yr old papillon was evaluated for lethargy, inappetence, tachypnea, and labored breathing. Physical examination findings included dehydration, tachypnea, tachycardia, and muffled heart sounds. Thoracic radiographs revealed an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography revealed a mild volume of pericardial effusion and no evidence of right atrial tamponade or a cardiac-associated mass. Cytological analysis of the pericardial effusion was consistent with blood. There was no evidence of neoplasia. Coagulation parameters were within normal limits. Initial treatment consisted of pericardiocentesis. A subtotal pericardiectomy was later performed. No surgical complications were noted, and the dog was discharged 2 days following surgery. Results of the histological examination of the pericardium revealed hemangiosarcoma. Treatment with doxorubicin was initiated 12 days after surgery, at which time, pulmonary metastasis was suspected. The dog survived for 18 days after subtotal pericardiectomy, when it was euthanized because of complications presumably related to pulmonary metastatic disease. This is the first published report of primary pericardial hemangiosarcoma. The dog had a short survival time; thus, the response to subtotal pericardiectomy combined with adjuvant doxorubicin treatment could not be determined. Pulmonary metastatic disease was suspected 12 days following surgery. Based on this case report, pericardial hemangiosarcoma carries a guarded prognosis.

Cholecystopexy and Pericardial Pseudocyst Removal in a Dog with a Congenital Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia

A 4 mo old spayed female golden retriever was presented with a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) that was diagnosed during neutering. Echocardiography revealed a fluid-filled structure and parts of the liver in the pericardial cavity. Computed tomography confirmed the existence of the PPDH and the herniation of the right medial liver lobe and the gallbladder. Cystic masses were observed in the pericardial and the peritoneal cavities, possibly communicating through the PPDH. A median laparotomy revealed a single lobulated cystic lesion extending into both the pericardial and peritoneal cavities through the PPDH. Because of the nonviable aspect of some parts of the liver parenchyma, the gallbladder was dissected from the fossa, and the central division of the liver was resected. A cholecystopexy was performed on the diaphragm to limit gallbladder mobility. The PPDH was closed in the standard fashion. Histopathology of the cystic structure was compatible with a pericardial pseudocyst. Two months postoperatively, the dog was healthy, and the results of blood biochemistry and abdominal ultrasonography were normal. A pericardial pseudocyst can be associated with a PPDH in young dogs. Moreover, cholecystopexy appears to be a safe and effective method of limiting gallbladder mobility after resection of the central hepatic division.

Cytological diagnosis of cardiac masses with ultrasound guided fine needle aspirates

BACKGROUND

Cardiac masses are uncommon in the canine population. When present, an attempt should be made to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Our goal with this case series was to report that as long as anatomic location permits, obtaining fine needle aspirates (FNAs) for cytological evaluation is practical, safe, and may provide a definitive diagnosis.

METHODS

Our database has been retrospectively searched for cases where FNA of cardiac masses have been performed.

RESULTS

A total of six cases were retrieved. Four dogs were under general anaesthesia and two were sedated. Ultrasound guided transthoracic FNAs were obtained in all cases with only minor complications: mild self-limiting pericardial effusion (n = 1) and one ventricular ectopic complex (n = 1). All dogs were closely monitored during the procedure (pulse oximetry, electrocardiography and blood pressure). A diagnosis was obtained in all cases: inflammation (n = 1), haemangiosarcoma (n = 2), sarcoma (n = 2) and chemodectoma (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

A cytological diagnosis allows clinicians to make appropriate clinical decisions, has dramatic impact on treatment recommendations and gives information about prognosis.

A descriptive review of cardiac tumours in dogs and cats

Cardiac tumours are uncommon in the canine and feline population and often an incidental finding. Common types include haemangiosarcoma (HSA), aortic body tumours (chemodectoma and paraganglioma) and lymphoma. These neoplasms can cause mild to severe, life-threatening clinical signs that are independent of the histological type and may be related to altered cardiovascular function or local haemorrhage/effusion into the pericardial space. Cardiac tumours may require symptomatic treatment aimed at controlling tumour bleeding and potential arrhythmias, and other signs caused by the mass effect. Additional treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For all medical therapies, complete remission is unlikely and medical management, beyond adjunctive chemotherapy in HSA, requires further investigation but combination chemotherapy is recommended for lymphoma. The aim of this report is to summarize and critically appraise the current literature in a descriptive review. However, interpretation is limited by the lack of definitive diagnosis and retrospective nature of most studies.

Canine intrapericardial cyst - complicated surgical correction of an unusual cause of right heart failure

Intrapericardial cysts are non-neoplastic structures that can become clinically significant by compressing cardiac chambers. Surgical excision is recommended to resolve clinical signs and this has been reported to be easily achieved by blunt manipulation. The present report describes a case of an intrapericardial cyst in a dog. The singularity of this case lays on the fact that the patient was presented unusually late, at the age of four years, and most importantly that its surgical correction was significantly complicated by the strong adherence of the cyst to both the pericardium and epicardium. This was possibly the result of chronic trauma and continued haemorrhage with subsequent healing and fibrosis. It is therefore important to consider intrapericardial cysts as a possible differential diagnosis in young to middle age patients presented with signs of right-sided heart failure. Surgical excision must be planned carefully as this may not be as straightforward as previously suggested.

Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade caused by intrapericardial granulation tissue in a dog

OBJECTIVE

To describe and report successful surgical management of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in a dog caused by intrapericardial granulation tissue.

CASE SUMMARY

An 8-month-old, intact male, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was referred for cardiac evaluation following 2 weeks of progressive lethargy, abdominal distention, and difficulty breathing. On the day of presentation, the dog had an episode of acute collapse. A 14-cm multilocular pericardial cystic lesion causing collapse of the right atrial free wall and resulting in pericardial tamponade was observed on echocardiogram. After the dog subsequently experienced two acute episodes of pericardial effusion, a subtotal pericardectomy was performed and clinical signs resolved. The histopathologic diagnosis of the mass was inflammation and granulation tissue, likely caused by a resolving hematoma or abscess.

NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED

This is the first report of intrapericardial granulation tissue as the cause of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.

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

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.

Hepatic cysts incarcerated in a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a common incidental finding in cats and is rarely symptomatic. The case report described herein presented with dyspnoea secondary to incarceration of hepatic cysts within the pericardial space of a cat with a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia.