Retrospective study of biopsied nodular lesions in canine spleen in Canary Island.

Abstract

To assess the relevance of canine splenic pathology and emphasize the differential diagnostic criteria among splenic nodular disorders a retrospective study analyzing 311 canine spleen biopsies was performed. In this retrospective study, the pathological findings in 320 cases of canine splenic abnormality recognized clinically by ultrasound examination, laparotomy, or as accidental finding, are presented. The proportion of non-neoplastic (n=163) and neoplastic lesions (n=157) was quite similar. The most common diagnosis was nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (n=86), and the most frequent splenic neoplasia was hemangiosarcoma (n= 80). Splenic hematoma was also observed in a high dog proportion (n= 62). The differential diagnosis between splenic hematoma and hemangiosarcoma can be very difficult if the surgical specimen is not correctly sampled. Other relevant results were malignant fibrous histiocytoma (n=14) and lymphoma (n=12). Most hemangiosarcoma cases occurred in German Shepherd. Breeds behaving with greater predisposition during splenic disorders is discussed, also, the results suggested male predisposition on splenic hemangiosarcoma. The most frequently splenic disease found in this study occurred in elderly dog.