Anterior uveal spindle cell tumor in a cat.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe a case of anterior uveal spindle cell tumor in a cat with features similar to spindle cell tumor of blue eyed dogs.

METHODS:

A 10-year-old female spayed domestic short-haired cat was referred for an iris mass OS. The mass was solitary, nodular, nonpigmented, located medially, and causing dyscoria. A diagnosis of a benign epithelial tumor was suggested by a FNA of the mass. The cat was lost to follow-up for 2 years, after which time she re-presented with glaucoma, blindness and grossly evident iridal mass enlargement OS. Transconjunctival enucleation was performed and the globe submitted for histopathology.

RESULTS:

Histopathology of the enucleated globe revealed the superior iris to be infiltrated and effaced by a large population of neoplastic spindle cells. The cells were arranged in streams and bundles and exhibited Antoni-A and Antoni-B tissue patterns, which are characteristic of Schwann cell tumors. Mitotic figures were rare and cellular pleomorphism moderate. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for S-100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and negative for Melan-A. Interestingly, there was no histological evidence of glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on its histopathologic characteristics, this iris tumor was diagnosed as a Schwann cell variant of a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) closely resembling the spindle cell tumor of blue-eyed dogs. Anterior uveal PNST has not been previously reported in cats to the authors' knowledge. The presence of Antoni type A and type B tissue patterns along with immunohistochemical staining may facilitate a diagnosis of PNST and rule out malignant melanoma.

• Authors: Paige M Evans, Gwendolyn L Lynch, Richard R Dubielzig
• Journal: Veterinary ophthalmology (Vet Ophthalmol) Vol. 13 Issue 6 Pg. 387-90 (Nov 2010) ISSN: 1463-5224 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21182724 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2010 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Topics

• Animals
• Cat Diseases (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Cats
• Female
• Uveal Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, surgery, veterinary)