Research Communications of the 27(th) ECVIM-CA Congress: Intercontinental, Saint Julian's, Malta, 14th to 16th September 2017

Disclosures: No disclosures to report Esophageal neoplasia has been reported in dogs with regurgitations but only anecdotal case-reports describe megaesophagus associated with gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) neoplasia. This retrospective case series reports 7 cases of megaesophagus associated with GEJ neoplasia in dogs. Median (range) age and weight at presentation were 12 (10-14) years and 26 (19-29.3) kg, respectively. All cases were medium to large breed dogs. Duration of clinical signs ranged from 3 days to 3 months with clinical signs including regurgitations (7), weight loss (6), cough (4), polydipsia (3), ptyalism (2), lethargy (2), cachexia (2), and increased lung sounds (2). Plain thoracic radiographs showed a megaesophagus (7), a soft-tissue opacity within the caudal esophagus (3), and signs of aspiration pneumonia (2). GEJ mass was confirmed by contrast esophagogram in two dogs. Transabdominal ultrasonography of the GEJ was performed in 6 dogs and was abnormal in 5 dogs. Endoscopy performed in 4 cases revealed a protruding mass in all cases. CT imaging performed in 3 cases showed a mass at the GEJ. One dog was treated by GEJ stenting, resulting in resolution of clinical signs; this dog is still alive. Six dogs were euthanized before diagnosis or lost to follow-up. Biopsies of the esophageal masses were obtained endoscopically (2), surgically (1) or after necropsy (3) and revealed esophageal leiomyoma (3) and leiomyosarcoma (1) but the endoscopic samples were non-diagnostic. Considering that long term survival is possible, this case series emphasizes the importance of using additional imaging diagnostic procedures before diagnosing idiopathic megaesophagus.