First canine case of nontraumatic hemoperitoneum secondary to pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma: Successful surgical management.

BACKGROUND

An 11-year-old male Siberian Husky presented with acute hypovolemic shock on initial physical examination. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia. Abdominal ultrasonography identified a well-defined, round, lobulated 10.0 cm mass caudal to the stomach. A large volume of hyperechoic peritoneal fluid was detected in the abdominal cavity. The peritoneal fluid packed cell volume (PCV) was similar to the peripheral PCV, confirming hemoperitoneum.

CASE DESCRIPTION: Surgical resection of the mass and damaged pancreatic vessels was performed. Adherent mesenteric blood vessels and a segment of the jejunum were also removed due to their association with the mass, followed by jejunal anastomosis. No abnormal clinical signs were observed postoperatively. A definitive diagnosis of pancreatic acinar cell tumor was made based on histopathological findings. The patient remained clinically stable without evidence of recurrence for over 11 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

This report is the first documented case describing successful surgical management of nontraumatic hemoperitoneum secondary to pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma in a dog. Histopathological evaluation confirmed a moderately well-differentiated pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. This case suggests that timely diagnosis and intervention may improve outcomes in patients with hemorrhagic presentations of pancreatic neoplasia.