Polyostotic hyperostosis associated with oviductal tumor in a cockatiel.

Abstract

A 10-year-old female cockatiel in a thin and depressed condition and with a 1 X 2-cm soft abdominal swelling was hospitalized. Radiography revealed a well-circumscribed mass containing punctate areas of mineralization, displacing the gizzard cranially in the caudodorsal portion of the abdomen. There was bilateral, symmetric, generalized, increased medullary opacity of the radius, ulna, carpometacarpus, femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus. These findings were compatible with polyostotic hyperostosis secondary to an estrogen-secreting tumor. Euthanasia and necropsy were requested. A small area of neoplastic cells in the oviduct was identified histologically, but most of the tissue mass consisted of necrotic cellular debris. There was no metastasis. Sagittal secretions of decalcified radiopaque bones revealed up to 60% filling of medullary cavities with bone spicules. Although clinical and radiographic findings were compatible with an estrogen-secreting tumor, osteopetrosis, metastatic neoplasia, hypertrophic osteopathy, and metabolic bone disease were included in the initial differential diagnosis. The absence of metastasis and the confinement of the tumor within the oviduct would have made surgical removal a possible approach to treatment.