title: SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PULMONARY MELANOPHOROMA IN A BEADED LIZARD (HELODERMA HORRIDUM EXASPERATUM).
abstract: An adult male Rio Fuerte beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum exasperatum) was examined because of a history of anorexia and lethargy of one week duration. Diagnostic tests included a physical exam, complete blood cell count, plasma biochemistries, whole-body radiographs, and ultrasonography. The physical exam revealed the presence of a large mass in the midcoelomic cavity. Radiographs confirmed the presence of the midcoelomic mass and showed a smaller mass in the right cranial lung field. The ultrasonogram showed a homogeneous mass with soft tissue echogenicity. A fine-needle aspirate was collected, and the cytology results were suggestive of a melanophoroma. Exploratory surgery revealed a large mass (10×6 cm) within the right lung, with extensive adhesions to the caudolateral margin of the right liver lobe. The smaller mass (2×3 cm) was within the cranial aspect of the right lung. A right pulmonectomy and partial hepatectomy were performed to remove the tumors. The animal died 3.5-yr postsurgery, and histopathologic evaluation did not show evidence of melanophoroma in any of the tissues evaluated.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McManamon
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008116:Lizards; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male
keywords: Heloderma horridum exasperatum; Rio Fuerte beaded lizard; lung; melanophoroma; pulmonectomy; reptile