Tomographic findings in a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with nasal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

A 6-year-old female rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) showed signs of upper respiratory disease unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. Knowing the limitations of plain radiography for evaluating the upper tract in rabbits, a computed tomography scan was requested, which revealed the presence of an amorphous, expansive neoformation with partially defined limits, high uptake to the vascular contrast medium, with areas of necrosis. Material was collected where the histopathological diagnosis of the mass was conclusive for nasal adenocarcinoma. Computadorized tomography revealed important information for the identification of the mass and the prognosis of the animal. This reported case study of adenocarcinoma of the nasal mucosa in a female rabbit is the first to use computed tomography and intravenous contrast media to assess the nasal lesion. Diseases of the upper respiratory tract must be very well evaluated in cases that do not respond to the therapy established by the veterinarian, and it must be taken into account that nasal adenocarcinoma is a differential diagnosis that must be respected.