Pharyngeal hemangioma in a Shih Tzu dog: A Case Report

Background: Hemangiomas, benign vascular tumors most often seen in dogs, generally occur in the dermis or subcutis, with tonsillar involvement being rare. Pharyngeal masses, although infrequent, can cause severe upper airway obstruction characterized by dyspnea, stridor, and dysphagia. This report describes a case of pharyngeal tonsillar hemangioma in a dog presenting with airway obstruction. Case History: A ۶-year-old, ۶.۷-kg, male Shih Tzu dog presenting with persistent dyspnea, respiratory distress, and dysphagia unresponsive to antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy was referred for further evaluation. During clinical evaluation, inspiratory stridor and mild mucosal cyanosis were observed, indicating upper airway obstruction. Lateral cervical radiographs showed a soft-tissue density of undetermined origin occupying the pharyngeal space. Due to the severity of respiratory distress and the anatomical constraints related to brachycephaly, a comprehensive pharyngeal examination was conducted under general anesthesia. Pharyngeal examination revealed a pedunculated reddish, vascular mass measuring approximately ۳۱ × ۱۵ mm arising from the pharyngeal tonsil and the mass was subsequently excised via tonsillectomy and submitted for histopathological evaluation. Results: Histopathological examination revealed multiple well-differentiated vascular channels lined by a single layer of endothelial cells without features of malignancy, consistent with a diagnosis of hemangioma. Postoperatively, the dog recovered uneventfully, with complete resolution of respiratory signs within ۲۴ hours. At the ۳-month follow-up, no recurrence, dyspnea, or dysphagia was observed, and the overall condition remained normal. Conclusion: Pharyngeal tonsillar hemangioma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with upper respiratory distress. Accurate diagnosis and effective management depend on thorough examination under anesthesia, appropriate imaging, and complete surgical excision confirmed by histopathology.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pharyngeal hemangioma ، Tonsillar tumor ، Upper airway obstruction ، Shih tzu dog ، Histopathology