Uterine serosal cysts
Keywords: canine, uterus, cyst, serosal
Serosal inclusion cysts of the canine uterus:
Image size: 880x810px. Copyright of this image belongs to Dr Cathy Gartley of the Ontario Veterinary College, cgartley@uoguelph.ca.
These cystic structures are incidental findings in older bitches. The cysts vary in size from a few millimetres to a few centimeters in diameter. They are usually found on the antimesometrial side of the uterus but can cover the entire uterus (see literature reviewed by Arnold et al, 1996). They are thin-walled and contain clear fluid. Their significance is unknown. It has been suggested that they are remnants of the mesonephric (wolffian) system. However, their location on the antimesometrial side of the uterus appears to make that unlikely because the mesonephric system lies peripheral to the paramesonephric system in an embryo.
The uterus in the lower part of the amalgum was found in middle-aged Akita after hysterectomy following a negative pregnancy diagnosis.
Note: Despite efforts to locate an author, the two images in the upper portion of this amalgum are of unknown origin. If you know the author of those images, please contact Dr Lofstedt.
Reference: Arnold, S. et al.1996 Uterine serosal inclusion cysts in a bitch J Small Animal Pract. 37, 235-237
