A Hidden Threat: A Case Report on Pheochromocytoma in a Horse (Equus ferus caballus)

Authors

  • Romelia Pop Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manaștur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Valeria Ciulu-Angelescu Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372
  • Maria Popescu Equine Clinic, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 40037
  • Otilia Bulmez Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 40037
  • Denisa Bungărdean Equine Clinic, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 40037
  • Mirela Alexandra Tripon Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 40037
  • Zsofia Daradics Department of clinical sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372
  • Alexandru Florin Lupsan Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372
  • Iancu Morar Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 40037
  • Cristian Crecan Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372
  • Dragoș Hodor Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manaștur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Claudiu-Nicușor Ionică Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manaștur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Ecaterina Semzenisi Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manaștur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Alexandru-Flaviu Tăbăran Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manaștur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52331/cvj.v30i1.46

Keywords:

Pheochromocytoma; Equine neuroendocrine tumor Adrenal gland neoplasm; Histopathology

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors in horses, originating from chromaffin cells within the adrenal medulla. This case report describes a 15-year-old Friesian horse that presented with progressive ataxia, muscular weakness, and lateral recumbency, leading to euthanasia. During necropsy, a 2x3 cm dark-red mass with focal necrosis was diagnosed in the left adrenal gland, along with perirenal hematoma and haemoperitoneum, indicating hemorrhagic complications. Histopathological analysis confirmed an adrenal pheochromocytoma, characterized by nests of polygonal to spindle-shaped cells with small amount of cytoplasm and low mitotic activity. Areas of necrosis and hemorrhage suggested potential malignancy. The clinical signs were likely due to catecholamine hypersecretion and the acute haemoperitoneum was caused by the tumor rupture and hemorrhage. Pheochromocytomas, though often diagnosed post-mortem, can cause life-threatening cardiovascular and systemic effects, underscoring the importance of histopathological evaluation and the need for improved antemortem diagnostic techniques in equine practice.

References

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Published

2025-03-19

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 1 (2025): Cluj Veterinary Journal

Section

Case reports

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Romelia Pop, Valeria Ciulu-Angelescu, Maria Popescu, Otilia Bulmez, Denisa Bungărdean, Mirela Alexandra Tripon, Zsofia Daradics, Alexandru Florin Lupsan, Iancu Morar, Cristian Crecan, Dragoș Hodor, Claudiu-Nicușor Ionică, Ecaterina Semzenisi, Alexandru-Flaviu Tăbăran

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

“A Hidden Threat: A Case Report on Pheochromocytoma in a Horse (Equus ferus caballus)” (2025) Cluj Veterinary Journal, 30(1), pp. 56–60. doi:10.52331/cvj.v30i1.46.

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