Work

Venous vascular anomaly and phleboliths in a 2‐year‐old German shepherd dog: A presumed case of Servelle–Martorell syndrome

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A 2‐year‐old, male German shepherd dog was referred for chronic right pelvic limb lameness, severe pain, and progressive muscle atrophy. Diagnostic imaging included radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiographs revealed marked atrophy of the right femoral diaphysis with distal osteopenia and multiple phlebolith centres in the pelvic region. Ultrasonography identified phleboliths within markedly venous ectasia, associated with slow, non‐pulsatile blood flow. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography demonstrated extensive low‐flow venous ectasia originating from the right iliac venous system, with multiple intravascular phleboliths, severe muscle atrophy and femoral atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging further characterised the venous malformations and confirmed associated soft tissue and osseous abnormalities, without evidence of a high‐flow vascular anomaly. Based on the combination of multimodal imaging findings, femoral atrophy, venous ectasia and phlebolith formation, a presumptive diagnosis of angio‐osteo‐hypotrophic (Servelle–Martorell) syndrome was made. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first suspected case reported in a dog.

Source: Veterinary Record Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.70541

Authors: Daniela Serra, Clément Tanguy, Vincianne Mertz, Réjane Kerbrat‐Copy, Marion Fusellier‐Tesson, Renaud Jossier

Institutions: Oniris, Inserm, Nantes Université

Language: English

Topic: Vascular Malformations and Hemangiomas

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,480