Nevus lipomatosus cutaneus superficialis (Hoffmann-Zurhelle) in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).
BACKGROUND
A 32-year-old, male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) kept in a zoo developed a focally extensive, proliferative, cerebriform, dermal mass at the left inner thigh extending to the inguinal region. After surgical removal, the mass recurred and extended progressively over a period of 5 years.


RESULTS
At necropsy, a 20 x 20 cm large, well defined, papular and partly verrucous, rubbery mass composed of multiple large, soft nodules measuring up to 4 cm in diameter was observed in the left thigh and inguinal region. Histological examination revealed a multifocal expansion of the dermis by mature adipocytes that were arranged in small islands to large lobular aggregates. Dermal proliferations of adipocytes were almost completely separated from the subcutaneous adipose tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of a unique lesion that resembles human Nevus lipomatosus cutaneus superficialis in a chimpanzee and is different from lipoma or liposarcoma.
Klopfleisch
Robert
R
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Langner
Christoph
C
von Felbert
Inga
I
Rudnick
Jens-Christian
JC
Teifke
Jens Peter
JP
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009506:Nevus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*