Lipoma is a benign neoplasm characterized by the proliferation of well differentiated adipocytes. This tumor can occur in a wide variety of locations in animals, but is most often seen in subcutaneous tissue, usually as a lone mass [1]. In horses, lipomas correspond to 3% of neoplasms diagnosed in this species and occur more commonly in the intestinal mesentery [2] [3] and older animals are the most affected [4]. On the other hand, subcutaneous lipomas are rare neoplasm in horses, and when they appear, they affect more common animals under two years of age and can be found in the trunk and proximal limbs [5].

The cause of lipomas in animals is unknown. However, in human beings’ translocations in HMGA1, HMGA2 e LPP genes may be involved in the development of ordinary lipoma [6].

The diagnosis of lipoma is made by histopathological examination [7]. Stains for lipid, such as Oil-red-O, osmium, and Sudan black, on frozen tissue sections can assist in the diagnosis of this neoplasm [8]. Besides, lipomas and their subtypes are positives in the immunohistochemistry for vimentin and can be positive for S-100 [8]. These tumors have a good prognosis [9].

The aim of the present study was to report the occurrence of a case of abdominal subcutaneous lipoma in a Mangalarga Marchador horse, highlighting the main differential diagnoses of this neoplasm.

A 5-year-old male Mangalarga Marchador horse weighing approximately 350 kg was referred to the Veterinary Hospital with a well-defined and circumscribed history of local abdominal volume increase (Figure 1A). In the anamnesis, the owner reported that the animal had this volume increase since he was 1 -year-old, and in the last 2 years the tumor progressed significantly in size. On physical examination, grade 4 of obesity was observed (scale from 1 to 5) and on palpation of the tumor, the animal did not have pain or discomfort. No hematological and biochemical changes were observed. On ultrasonography, it was observed a mass presenting hypoechogenicity with a coarse appearance and slightly heterogeneous with a hyperechogenic layer surrounding the tumor (Figure 1B). There are no signs of color Doppler flow. The tumor extended through the subcutaneous tissue and did not penetrate the abdominal cavity.

Extraction of the mass was elected for treatment. Excision was performed with an elliptical incision with 3 cm from the mass margin. Divulsion was performed at the base of the mass that was under the abdomen and the entire neoplasia was removed. The skin was approached and sutured; and to decrease the tension, a subcutaneous suture (walking suture) was applied; after that, the subcutaneous tissue and the skin were closed with a simple continuous pattern. The removed mass was sent for histological analysis.

Macroscopically, the mass was 22 × 12 × 6 cm, it was smooth and, on the cut was homogeneous white. In the histological analysis of the subcutaneous tissue and its expansion, compressing the underlying skeletal muscle was a well-circumscribed, partially encapsulated, moderately cellular neoplasm composed of mature adipocytes arranged in indistinct lobules on a fine fibrovascular stroma (Figure 2). Neoplastic adipocytes have distinct cell borders and a single clear vacuole (lipid) that compresses and peripheralizes a flattened and hyperchromatic nucleus. Anisocytosis is marked depending on vacuole size and anisokaryosis is minimal. Mitosis was not seen.

The diagnosis of subcutaneous lipoma was based on the macroscopic and histological characteristics of the tumor. External lipomas are relatively rare tumors in horses, and they occur more in the limbs, thorax, abdominal wall, and eyelids [7]. In this case, the lipoma was in the animal’s abdomen. Volume changes in this region must be differentiated from hernia, eventration, hematoma, seroma and abscess [10]. In this study, these changes were excluded by clinical examination and ultrasound. In a study on infiltrative lipoma, the authors mention that the cytology technique can also be used to differentiate lipomas from other lesions in the abdominal cavity [10]. Cytologic examination of lipomas reveals an often acellular preparation containing numerous lipid droplets and occasionally lipocytes. However, normal subcutaneous adipose tissue must be considered if samples is from fine needle aspiration.

Obese horses may have several comorbidities associated with this condition, such as: exercise intolerance, thermoregulatory inefficiency, abnormal reproductive performance and increased likelihood of developing lipomas [2] [11] [12] [13]. Probably, the obesity observed in the horse in this study favored the sudden growth of the subcutaneous lipoma observed.

Surgical excision is curative for lipomas and the prognosis for this neoplasm is favorable, even with incomplete excision of the mass. In this case the mass was completed excised and the horse was discharged from the hospital with the recommendation to return in 6-months to ensure the lipoma was not recurring. Follow-up communication with the owner 4 months after the surgery indicated that the horse had returned to full work and had had no known clinical signs since the surgical procedure.

Abdominal subcutaneous lipomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of hernias, eventration, hematoma, seroma, and abscesses. An ultrasound associated with other techniques can help to differentiate these diseases.

The authors thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo (FAPES) and the Centro Universitário do Espírito Santo (UNESC) for supporting this study and for the scholarship.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

de Barros, B., de Souza, H.H.R., de Oliveira, S.F.C., da Silva, T.B., Malegoni, A.C.S., Lemos, V.Z., Rondon, D.A. and Marcolongo-Pereira, L.A.M.C. (2020) Abdominal Subcutaneous Lipoma in a Mangalarga Marchador Horse. Open Access Library Journal, 7: e6634. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106634