Abstract
Neuronal embryonal tumours are said to originate from neuroectodermal progenitor cells and have been described as locally aggressive. There are various types of these tumours which have been recorded in a variety of fish species.1 An approximately 5-year-old Malabar rockcod (Epinephelus malabaricus) presented with a protruding exophthalmos of the right eye. On clinical examination much of the globe was compromised and the decision was made to enucleate the eye. The fish was placed under general anaesthetic using tricaine methane sulfonate.2 The entire globe was removed and sent for histopathological analysis. Results revealed a solid neoplastic mass composed of sheets of tumour cells in interwoven bundles and rare rosette like formations. A diagnosis of a presumptive neuronal embryonal tumour was made. The fish recovered well from the procedure and there has been no reoccurrence of the neoplasia to date. This case report describes the successful treatment of a presumptive neuronal embryonal tumour in a novel fish species.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the husbandry staff at SAAMBR for their care. The author thanks Vetdiagnostix for their technical assistance.
* Presenting author
Literature Cited
1. Kagan RA, Pinkerton ME, Kinsel MJ. 2010. Neuronal embryonal tumours in fish. Vet Pathol. 47:553–559.
2. Stoskopf M. 2010. Fish Medicine. Pennsylvania: WB Saunders.