Abstract

An adult, 2.9 kg, 4-year-old female green iguana, Iguana iguana, was examined for anorexia, weight loss, and lethargy. Physical examination revealed a dull integument, minimal pelvic and tailbase adipose deposits, and a distended coelom. Bilateral renal enlargement was identified on intracloacal digital palpation. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry results indicated hepatic and renal disease. Radiographs and ultrasound revealed severe liver enlargement and ascites. Exploratory coeliotomy revealed a massive and diffusely enlarged liver with rounded margins and a smooth capsular surface, indicative of an infiltrative process. Due to poor prognosis, the owner requested that the animal be euthanized. A diagnosis of acinar hepatocellular carcinoma was made on histopathological evaluation of liver tissue collected after euthanasia. Eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, surrounded by clear halos, were seen in a few neoplastic cells. Several malignant hepatic tumors have been previously reported in reptiles; however, this case report documents the first reptilian adenoid hepatocellular carcinoma associated with intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions in neoplastic hepatocytes.