Pedal mass in a

crossbred dog

Author: David Editor: David

Grant Lloyd

© European Society of Veterinary

Dermatology
History - 1

● 12-year-old entire female crossbred dog

● Weight 23 kg
● A lump had developed over a period of months on the
right fore foot
● The dog was presented when the lesion became
ulcerated and began to bleed

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History
History - 2

● The dog was lame on the affected foot but otherwise in

good health

History
Clinical signs - 1

Lateral view of the

mass

A mobile, ulcerated mass of 5

cm diameter was present over
the third digit. It was not painful
on palpation. There were no
other lesions; no
lymphadenopathy.

Signs
How would you
approach this case?
● What are the next steps you would take?
● Make a list of your principle differential diagnoses
● List any samples you would collect
● List any tests you would perform to assist in making a
definitive diagnosis

Signs
Case investigation

● Principle differential diagnoses

○ Neoplasia e.g. Schwannoma, haemangiopericytoma,
fibroma, fibrosarcoma
○ Bacterial pseudomycetoma
○ Actinomycetosis, Nocardiosis, Eumyctic mycetoma
○ Foreign body reaction

Differentials
Tests

● Tests
○ Surgical excision and histopathology were logical
diagnostic and therapeutic steps

Tests
 Results

Histopathology (Joan Rest)

Shows a mass of elongated
cells in onion-skin patterns with
moderate quantities of
intervening collagen.

Some nuclei are pallisaded.

Other areas are looser in
texture. Characteristic of a
schwannoma. Where an edge
is present there is a
well-defined border.

Tests
What is your
diagnosis?
● Do the investigations permit a definitive diagnosis?
● Are there any additional investigations which you think
may need to be done?

Tests
Diagnosis

● Schwannoma

Tests
Prognosis

● Prognosis is quite good

○ Tumour not attached to subjacent tissue
○ No evidence of local spread
○ Histology does not suggest malignancy
○ But little skin available locally to facilitate removal

Tests
How would you deal
with this case?
● Should preliminary cytology have been done?
● Is surgical excision wise as an initial procedure?

Therapy
Therapy - 1

● Justification for immediate excision

○ Lesion characteristic of neoplasm, clinically
○ Dog in pain
○ If an infection, surgery would still be necessary
○ Good prognosis if complete removal possible
○ Although schwannomas may recur after excision; they do
not metastasize
○ Warning: limb amputation could be necessary ultimately

Therapy
Response to surgery

● Complete removal and

coaption was possible giving a
good cosmetic result as seen
here after 10 days
● No recurrence after 1 year

Notes
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Notes