Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report
Abstract Background Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratomas are rare in both human and veterinary medicine. These tumors arise from pluripotent germ cells and can contain tissues from all three germ layers. While the majority of teratomas are benign, their location in the retroperitoneum can lead to...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04875-w |
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| author | Giuliana Rosato Elisabeth Kolp Carina Oschlies Brice Donati Karl Klisch |
| author_facet | Giuliana Rosato Elisabeth Kolp Carina Oschlies Brice Donati Karl Klisch |
| author_sort | Giuliana Rosato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratomas are rare in both human and veterinary medicine. These tumors arise from pluripotent germ cells and can contain tissues from all three germ layers. While the majority of teratomas are benign, their location in the retroperitoneum can lead to significant mass effects and clinical complications. Case presentation A four-year-old female alpaca was presented with a history of abdominal distension. Clinical signs included tenesmus with lifted tail, reduced fecal output and hypothermia. Initial ultrasound revealed severe accumulation of anechoic fluid in the abdomen and complete homogeneous soft tissue opacification of the abdomen was visible in radiography, with mass effect on all other abdominal organs. A CT scan confirmed a considerable cystic lesion in the caudal abdomen. Histopathological analysis of the cystic structure revealed mature connective tissue, both striated and smooth muscle, as well as gland-like formations. Immunohistochemical staining identified markers from multiple tissue types. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma was established. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca. The rare nature of this condition in both humans and animals makes it a noteworthy addition to veterinary literature. This case emphasizes the importance of considering such conditions in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in livestock. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b13f106b3e2a4cce882f0b14a1297f68 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-b13f106b3e2a4cce882f0b14a1297f682025-08-20T03:03:25ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-07-012111710.1186/s12917-025-04875-wMature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case reportGiuliana Rosato0Elisabeth Kolp1Carina Oschlies2Brice Donati3Karl Klisch4Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichDepartment of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichDepartment of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichClinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichDivision of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of BernAbstract Background Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratomas are rare in both human and veterinary medicine. These tumors arise from pluripotent germ cells and can contain tissues from all three germ layers. While the majority of teratomas are benign, their location in the retroperitoneum can lead to significant mass effects and clinical complications. Case presentation A four-year-old female alpaca was presented with a history of abdominal distension. Clinical signs included tenesmus with lifted tail, reduced fecal output and hypothermia. Initial ultrasound revealed severe accumulation of anechoic fluid in the abdomen and complete homogeneous soft tissue opacification of the abdomen was visible in radiography, with mass effect on all other abdominal organs. A CT scan confirmed a considerable cystic lesion in the caudal abdomen. Histopathological analysis of the cystic structure revealed mature connective tissue, both striated and smooth muscle, as well as gland-like formations. Immunohistochemical staining identified markers from multiple tissue types. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma was established. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca. The rare nature of this condition in both humans and animals makes it a noteworthy addition to veterinary literature. This case emphasizes the importance of considering such conditions in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in livestock.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04875-wAlpaca (vicugna pacos)Cystic teratomaRetroperitoneumRadiologyHistopathology |
| spellingShingle | Giuliana Rosato Elisabeth Kolp Carina Oschlies Brice Donati Karl Klisch Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report BMC Veterinary Research Alpaca (vicugna pacos) Cystic teratoma Retroperitoneum Radiology Histopathology |
| title | Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report |
| title_full | Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report |
| title_short | Mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca: a case report |
| title_sort | mature retroperitoneal cystic teratoma in an adult alpaca a case report |
| topic | Alpaca (vicugna pacos) Cystic teratoma Retroperitoneum Radiology Histopathology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04875-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giulianarosato matureretroperitonealcysticteratomainanadultalpacaacasereport AT elisabethkolp matureretroperitonealcysticteratomainanadultalpacaacasereport AT carinaoschlies matureretroperitonealcysticteratomainanadultalpacaacasereport AT bricedonati matureretroperitonealcysticteratomainanadultalpacaacasereport AT karlklisch matureretroperitonealcysticteratomainanadultalpacaacasereport |