Bilateral Uveitis in a Horse With a Renal Carcinoma.
Authors: Romero Beatriz Fuentes, Iglesis García Manuel, Gil Molino María, Gómez Luis, Galapero Javier, Parejo Carlos, Martín Cuervo María
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Bilateral Uveitis in a Horse With a Renal Carcinoma Whilst equine uveitis is typically attributed to immune-mediated disease or trauma, this 2022 case report documents a striking presentation of bilateral uveitis secondary to metastatic renal cell carcinoma in an aged horse, representing a rare but potentially underdiagnosed differential diagnosis. A horse admitted for treatment of bilateral uveitis deteriorated acutely during hospitalisation, and necropsy revealed extensive metastatic disease originating from a primary renal carcinoma, with histological examination and immunohistochemical markers (CD10, AE1-AE3, vimentin) confirming identical neoplastic populations in both the kidney and the ciliary body tissues. The case emphasises that whilst renal cell carcinoma is the most common equine renal neoplasia, ocular metastasis to uveal structures is sufficiently rare that it may escape clinical consideration in differential diagnostic frameworks. For practitioners managing geriatric horses presenting with refractory bilateral uveitis unresponsive to conventional anti-inflammatory therapy, this report warrants inclusion of systemic malignancy—particularly renal carcinoma—within the diagnostic algorithm, potentially prompting earlier investigation of underlying neoplastic disease and more guarded prognostication rather than continuation of palliative ocular treatment alone.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •When treating bilateral uveitis in aged horses that fails to respond to conventional therapy, consider systemic neoplasia as a potential underlying cause and recommend thorough diagnostic imaging and laboratory work.
- •Renal carcinoma can metastasize to ocular tissues, making it important to investigate the broader clinical presentation rather than treating uveitis as an isolated condition.
- •Persistent or refractory uveitis warrants investigation beyond standard ophthalmologic causes, particularly when presentation is atypical or unresponsive to appropriate medical management.
Key Findings
- •A horse with bilateral uveitis was found at necropsy to have primary renal carcinoma with metastases to liver, lung, lymph nodes, and both uveal structures.
- •Histological examination revealed tubulopapillary epithelial proliferation in both the primary renal tumor and metastatic ciliary body lesions.
- •Immunohistochemical markers (CD10, AE1-AE3, vimentin) confirmed the uveal lesions originated from the same primary renal neoplasia.
- •Uveal metastasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for aged horses with uveitis that do not respond to standard medical treatment.