title: Diagnosis and surgical management of malignant ovarian teratoma in a green iguana (Iguana iguana).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ovarian tumors in reptiles are uncommonly reported in the literature and for green iguanas previously reported cases include teratomas, one adenocarcinoma and one papillary cystadenocarcinoma. The present report is the first of a malignant ovarian teratoma in a green iguana. Complete and detailed pathological features, differential diagnosis and surgical management of malignant ovarian teratoma are discussed in this paper.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 9-year-old intact female green iguana (Iguana iguana) with a clinical history of persistent anorexia and progressive abdominal distension was referred to the surgery department. On physical examination, a presumptive diagnosis of follicular stasis was established. Radiographic evaluation showed a large radioopaque mass within the abdomen, which was visible both in latero-lateral and ventro-dorsal exposures. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a large intra-abdominal mass, with numerous cyst-like structures filled with liquid and a heterogeneous aspect with hypoechoic areas. Exploratory laparatomy was thus suggested and the mass was removed surgically. The histologic findings of the neoplasm were consistent with those of ovarian malignant teratoma. Surgical excision of the mass in our case was considered curative and after a follow-up period of 6 months the animal has recovered completely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A malignant ovarian teratoma has not been previously reported in green iguana and should be included in the list of differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors in this species. This report will contribute to a better understanding of the pathology of this rare tumor in green iguanas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bel
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tecilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borza
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Cosmin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pestean
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Purdoiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Techniques, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania. ciprian.ober@usamvcluj.ro.
authors.forename: Ciprian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ober
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Techniques, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Liviu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oana
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taulescu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007076:Iguanas; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Green iguana; Ovarian malignant teratoma; Pathology; Reptile; Surgery