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Canine (Swiss Mountain Dog Mix) · Radiograph — Forelimb
- Species
- Canine
- Breed
- Swiss Mountain Dog Mix
- Age
- 9 years
- Sex
- Male neutered
- Weight
- 60 kg
- Level
- Radiologist
Presenting complaint and brief history
Presented with a swollen and painful toe.
Diagnosis
Hides the diagnosis, imaging findings, outcome, take-home points and correlation photos so you can read the images blind.
Nodular lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis and synovitis
Confirmed
Imaging findings
Periosteal reaction along the margins of the middle and distal phalanges of the 3rd digit, right forelimb.
What happened with the patient
The distal aspect of the digit was amputated. The patient recovered well. Histopathology revealed nodular lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis and synovitis.
Key take-home points
Periosteal reaction of the phalanges is nonspecific, and several digit diseases look alike on radiographs. Common differentials include neoplasia (squamous cell carcinoma, subungual melanoma), osteomyelitis from paronychia or a foreign body, trauma, and inflammatory disease such as sterile nodular dermatitis with synovitis. Lysis of the third phalanx favors neoplasia or infection, while a productive reaction without lysis broadens the list. Cytology and/or histopathology may be needed to confirm.
Some fields on this case were drafted with AI assistance from the contributor's own report or dictation, then reviewed by the contributor and by a reviewer before publication. How we use AI.
Contributed by
- Oren Ofer
DVM, DVSc, DACVR
41 cases
Educational use only — not clinical advice.
Cite this case
Ofer O. Nodular lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis and synovitis. Radabase case 9ef2c5ba. Retrieved 2026-10-08 from https://www.radabase.vet/case/9ef2c5ba-ce36-4260-8953-b665cf88c024