Abstract:
A five-year-old male Boerboel presented for examination, collapsed for an unknown period
of time. On clinical examination, multifocal subcutaneous masses and enlarged prescapular
lymph nodes as well as neurological deficits that suggested a multifocal neurological
syndrome were found. Fine needle aspirates of the prescapular lymph nodes revealed cells
suggestive of osteosarcoma. Radiographs showed foci of mineralisation within the soft tissue
masses as well as diffuse pulmonary metastasis and a caudodorsal mediastinal mass believed
to be a Spirocerca lupi nodule. Computed tomography imaging, necropsy and histopathology
confirmed S. lupi oesophageal neoplastic transformation (extraskeletal osteosarcoma),
believed to be the primary lesion, and the majority of secondary metastasis to the brain, spine,
heart, multiple muscular groups and abdominal organs. This is the first known report of
extraskeletal osteosarcoma metastasis to the brain and spinal cord in a dog.
