A complex histopathological challenge: suspicion of an osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma arising from the second thoracic vertebra in a cat

BACKGROUND: Reports of osteoblastic tumours are limited to a few case reports in veterinary medicine.

Osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma has been accepted by the World Health Organization as an intermediate form between an osteosarcoma and osteoblastoma.

This type of tumour indicates an osteosarcoma, that may resemble osteoblastoma clinically, histologically, and radiologically and have the capability for metastasis.

Osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma has not been described in veterinary medicine so far.

CASE PRESENTATION: An eight-year old cat was presented due to progressive ataxia and paraparesis of the pelvic limbs.

Imaging confirmed a well-defined, extradural mass originating from the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2) leading to severe compression of the spinal cord.

Decompressive cytoreduction was achieved by removal of the mass after dorsal laminectomy of T1.

After recovering from an acute worsening 3.5 weeks after surgery, the cat had an improved neurological status and the dorsal compression was resolved at follow-up 8 months later.

A focal contrast enhancing lesion was still evident at the base of T2 spinous process and lung metastasis was additionally suspected.

Based on histopathological, radiographic, and clinical features, an “osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma” was suspected.

CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of this tumour in veterinary medicine.

In addition, this case report highlights the difficulty in the diagnosis and definition of osseous neoplasia in cats and provides a literature review.