Use of chemical ablation with trichloroacetic acid to treat eyelid apocrine hidrocystomas in a cat

Feline cystadenomatosis affecting the ears and skin of 57 cats (2011-2019)

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to understand epidemiological factors associated with feline cystadenomatosis, including signalment and papillomavirus PCR status. Cystadenomatosis is an uncommon condition primarily involving the ceruminous and apocrine skin and ear glands.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series. Clinical records from 2011 to 2019 from a tertiary referral hospital in Boston, MA, USA were screened for cases, and case data were re-evaluated and analyzed. The total patient pool contained 65,385 individual cats, of which 797 were referred to the dermatology service. Medical records and biopsy specimens were reviewed; the information collected included signalment, clinical signs, physical examination and diagnostic tests, comorbidities and histopathologic findings. PCR was performed on biopsy specimens to test for papillomavirus DNA.

RESULTS

The cystadenomatosis population consisted of 57 cases (7.1% of total cases referred to the dermatology service) with 105 affected ears. Twenty-seven cases (48 ears) were confirmed via histopathology; four cats (7%) exhibited clinically cystic lesions on the periocular, periorbital and perianal regions; only one cat did not have pinnal lesions. Domestic shorthair cats were most often affected. Relative risk for cystadenomatosis was 2.24 times higher in male cats. In 48 cats (84.2%), ears were bilaterally affected. Seven cats (12.3%) had malignant neoplasia, which included: inflamed adenocarcinoma (n = 5); mast cell tumor (n = 1); or squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1). PCR testing on biopsy specimens from 24 cats revealed feline papillomavirus type 2 DNA in only four cats.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Cystadenomatosis was more prevalent in senior non-purebred cats, over-represented in male cats and did not appear to be associated with papillomavirus, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukemia virus status or other identifiable illnesses. Further studies are needed to investigate the causes of cystadenomatosis.

A case of generalised cutaneous apocrine cystomatosis in a Pekingese dog

Clinical, histological and immunohistochemical examination of a 13‐year‐old male client‐owned Pekingese dog revealed an uncommon presentation of apocrine cutaneous cystomatosis. This is a rare non‐neoplastic condition of uncertain cause, characterised by multiple cystically dilated apocrine sweat glands. We aimed to describe the features of this unusual case of generalised cutaneous apocrine cystomatosis in the dog, which can be useful to distinguish it from multifocal benign cystic apocrine tumours.

Trichloroacetic Acid Injection for Treatment of Eyelid Apocrine Hidrocystomas in a Cat

Apocrine hidrocystoma (AH) is a benign cystic lesion infrequently reported in the eyelids of cats. There are several reports of application of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for treatment of eyelid apocrine hidrocystomas with high success rates in humans. This is the first report of intralesional injection of TCA for the treatment of eyelid AH in a feline. A 12-year-old Persian female spayed cat has been presented for evaluation of cystic masses on the eyelids. The cat had signs of ocular discomfort and two large cysts on the lower eyelid of the right eye. Ophthalmic examination was suggestive of eyelid AH. The cat underwent general anesthesia, and TCA 20 % was injected intracystically. The diagnosis of AH was confirmed by cytology. Two years later, there was no recurrence of the cyst. This case highlights the successful treatment of a large AH in the eyelids of a cat with TCA. Findings suggest that chemical ablation with TCA may be a useful treatment for AH in cats.

Characterization of the mucocutaneous junction of the human eyelid margin and meibomian glands with different biomarkers

PURPOSE

To investigate the morphology of the human eyelid margin and the presence of different cytokeratins, mucins and stem cell markers within the skin epithelium, mucocutaneous junction (MCJ) and palpebral conjunctiva.

METHODS

Eyelids of body donors were investigated histologically and ultrastructurally as well as by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies to cytokeratins 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 19; mucins MUC1, MUC4, and MUC5AC and potential stem cell markers K15, BCRP/ABCG2, integrin β1, and N-cadherin.

RESULTS

The expression pattern of cytokeratins, mucins and stem cell markers varied across the different epithelia of the human eyelid. Within the MCJ, CK7, 15 and 19 were absent, whereas the epithelium reacted positive to antibodies to CK1, 4, 8, 10, 13 and 14. Reactivity was also observed for MUC1 and MUC4, but not for MUC5AC. No reactivity was determined for K15, BCRP/ABCG2 and integrin β1 in the area of the MCJ epithelium but a strong reactivity was present for N-cadherin.

CONCLUSIONS

The present immunohistochemical findings lead to a better characterization of the MCJ. Additionally, the knowledge of distribution of biomarkers like cytokeratins, mucins and stem cells can be useful in the investigation of MCJ disturbances which occur in several disorders of the meibomian glands and the lid epithelium in the course of dry eye syndrome and especially meibomian gland dysfunction.

Eyelid multiple cysts of the apocrine gland of Moll in Persian cats

Feline eyelid hidrocystoma is a rarely reported disease of the apocrine glands of Moll that has been variably interpreted as proliferative/neoplastic lesion or retention cyst. The purpose of this paper was to investigate feline hidrocystoma pathogenesis by means of a histological and immunohistochemical study. Nine paraffin embedded biopsies of eyelid hidrocystoma were retrieved from our archives. Histological sections were immunostained with antibodies anti-cytoskeletal proteins and Ki67 antigen. All hidrocystomas were observed in Persian cats, seven males/two females, mean age 9.6 years. Histologically, single or multiple, variably sized cysts expanded eyelid dermis. Cyst was lined by cuboidal epithelium, occasionally raising in papillary structures. Immunostaining was consistent with apocrine gland epithelium (cytokeratin 8/18; 19 and 14 positive). Ki67 immunolabelled nuclei ranged from 5.3 to 20.83%. Although it was not possible to draw a definite conclusion concerning hidrocystoma aetiopathogenesis, the relatively high Ki67-proliferative index observed, suggested a proliferative nature of the lesion.