Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Spotted Seal (Phoca largha) upon Examination by Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography

Abstract

　 A 24-year old female spotted seal (Phoca largha) displayed symptoms such as chronic regurgitation, vomiting, and anorexia. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination under sedation with midazolam and butorphanol revealed esophageal mass and multiple masses in and around the liver region of the animal. These masses were confirmed as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with metastasis to the pancreas and the liver upon post-mortem examination and histopathological examination. As there is a dearth of information on contrast-enhanced CT in pinnipeds, this case would be valuable in the pre-mortem diagnosis of esophageal SCC.