Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

Re: Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:17:37 GMT

Hi,

is this a pathologist used to reptiles? They should be comfortable interpreting the histo of skin from a common species if so and this sounds like a very unsure pathologist hedging their bets! I would suggest a second opinion from a pathologist more confident with reptile sample interpretation. The cells on the cytology photos were round cells (one heterophil, one multinucleate and unclear original type) and could support neoplasia/inflammation but I can't help much on that front as I can't claim any expertise beyond basic pathology and haven't seen the histo images.

Having done some review work on reptile neoplasias and dermatopathology histiocyte neoplasms and auto-immune diseases haven't featured at all in a quite large sample size so I wouldn't expect them to be common but cannot 100% rule out their existence.

Your answer should lie in the biopsy results so I would ask for a 2nd opinion of slides or sample - we routinely use IZVG and find them very competent and happy to chat through findings for the less common cases.

Marie

Re: Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

shanley barber — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:37:54 GMT

Hi all, The lump from the iguana was removed (not by me) but the path report is really unhelpful! Summary as follows: Mild hyperplasia of epidermis, serous exudate beneath stratus lucidum, occ forming intracorneal pustules in areas, beneath this is a thick cellular infiltrate of lymphocytes, with occ heterophils, plasma cells and histiocytic cells, xanthophores and melanophores prominent in the upper dermis, but this may be normal! Without a control biopsy it is difficult to tell if this is within normal limits! No overtly (!) neoplasticism cells seen, no obvious (!) pathogens seen. Differentials include focal cutaneous lymphoma, cutaneous lymphocytes is, or an autoimmune condition (how common is this!) It goes on to say that the 'lesion MAY have been removed completely? ' no mention of margins. Marie, does it make any sense to you, having seen the cells down the microscope? Are these like histiocytoma that eventually fills in with lymphocytes, so they look like a cutaneous lymphoma if you biopsy an older lesion that has already started to resolve? I have no idea what to tell the owner, and I'm pretty certain they won't be pleased to have such an inconclusive answer. Thanks, Shanley

Re: Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 19:33:52 GMT

I would take a biospy from abnormal mass and also the less irregular areas in addition. Otherwise you are a little stuck at trying to make a diagnosis if cytology was inconclusive. Feel free to email me a pic (mariek@manorvets.com) and I can see if I can add anything,

Fijian iguanas do eat insects, unlike the more common green iguanas, but only in small quantities so daily insects are not appropriate.

Marie

Re: Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

shanley barber — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:52:43 GMT

Thank you Marie, and Catherine. My only concern about an excisional biopsy would be that the rest of the skin looks a little odd as well, slightly lumpy and flaky? I can email a picture as I have several. The husbandry sounds fine to me, tho he does feed locusts, and I thought that was only for juvenile iguanas, and this one is 2 years old. The humidity in the viv is around 70%, the temps are 27-30C, he does mist spray them occasionally. He feeds locusts, veg, green salad leaves (store bought). I forgot to ask out the UV light, unfortunately. It is housed with two females, I didn't see them, but the owner assures me that they have no lesions.

Thanks,

Shanley

Re: Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:34:56 GMT

I would aim for excisional biopsy if possible- we see a lot of neoplasms in captive reptiles and they can be very variable in appearance. From location and description a chromatophore neoplasm or SCC would be considerations as would thermal damage, with exudative papillomatous growths or primary cystic lesions less common. Even if benign cause removal would prevent ongoing irritation.

Marie

Re: Fijian iguana with yellow cyst

CatherineThomas — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:13:19 GMT

Have you sent a sample to a pathologist for cytology? I always send my exotics samples to professor John Cooper and he's always really helpful. I can send you his email address if you want to contact him.

Is the husbandry correct?

I'd also collect a blood sample and get a basic profile to include haematology which will tell you if there's any sign of toxic wbcs or any other indications of underlying problems or inflammation.