Name
Surgical Treatment of a Carapacial Osteosarcoma in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Speakers
Nicole Mikoni
David Sanchez-Milgallon Guzman, UC Davis
MINH-THI HUYNH, Nacologie
Peter Delisser
Krista Keller, University of California Davis
Lucyanne Megan
Kelsey Brust
Verena Affolter
David Sanchez-Milgallon Guzman, UC Davis
MINH-THI HUYNH, Nacologie
Peter Delisser
Krista Keller, University of California Davis
Lucyanne Megan
Kelsey Brust
Verena Affolter
Description
An 80-year-old, 5.6 kg male intact desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) was presented for
evaluation of an extensive mass protruding from the ventral margin between the supracaudal
scutes of the carapace and anal scutes of the plastron. Computed tomography (CT) scan was
performed to evaluate the mass extent, which involved the soft tissues of the caudal body wall
and invaded into the nearby caudal carapacial suprapygal and pygal dermal bones. The mass
measured ~7.2 cm length x 6.5 cm width x 3.7 cm height on initial CT. An 18G core Temno
needle biopsy sample was most consistent with an osteosarcoma. Curative-intent surgical
excision involving partial carapacetomy was performed to remove the mass, and histopathology
demonstrated a well-differentiated, productive osteosarcoma with narrow surgical margins.
Partial wound closure followed by open wound management was performed via use of
hydrocolloid and gauze bandages. Progressive wound healing occurred over the subsequent 6
months and bandaging was discontinued approximately 6 months post-operatively. A recheck CT
scan was performed at both 6 months and 1 year post-operatively, which revealed smooth
ostectomy margins with a small undulant periosteal proliferation consistent with post-surgical
remodeling. No overt evidence of metastasis in the form of visceral or pulmonary nodules was
appreciated at either follow-up CT scan. This is the first case report of a partial carapacectomy as
therapeutic procedure for osteosarcoma and one of the few cases of osteosarcoma in a chelonian
in reported literature.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)