Presentation
Split nail for 4 months on right thoracic limb. Recently developed skin nodule on digit.
Patient Data
There is multifocal lysis of the third phalanx of the second digit of the right thoracic limb. Soft tissue swelling surrounds this region and the nail is absent. The remainder of the metacarpal bones and phalanges are normal. The third image shows a fracture of the distal phalanx.
Impression:
Aggressive bone lesion with pathologic fracture. Neoplasia or osteomyelitis.
Case Discussion
The toe was amputated and histopathology revealed a subungual melanoma.
Bone lysis of the digit is more commonly caused by malignant neoplasia (83%) than osteomyelitis (17%). Dogs with squamous cell carcinoma had bone lysis (80%) more often than dogs with melanoma (5%).
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