Diagnosis and Surgical Management of a Paratesticular Cyst in a Rehabilitating Juvenile Male Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Abstract

A juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) undergoing rehabilitation for cold stunning exhibited an asymmetric bulging of the left caudal plastron and was diagnosed with a large intra-coelomic mass based on radiographical findings. Ultrasonography further identified a fluid-filled structure within the caudal coelom. Cytological evaluation of fluid obtained from the structure was consistent with a transudate, and thus, a cyst of unknown origin was suspected. Computed tomography imaging was pursued to further characterize the extent and location of the mass, which occupied ∼50% of the total coelomic cavity volume. Conservative management with monitoring and occasional drainage of the mass did not result in improvements; thus, an exploratory laparoscopy for further investigation and surgical planning was elected. Intra-coelomic surgery was performed to remove a thick-walled cystic mass associated with the left gonad. Histopathology confirmed a paratesticular cyst continuous with, and possibly originating from, the epididymis. Post-surgical recurrence of the cyst was not appreciated, and the animal was successfully released 1 year after admission. Unrelated to the cyst, the turtle developed acute severe anemia on two occasions throughout rehabilitation that responded to modification of antimicrobial treatment and subsequent steroid administration. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a paratesticular cyst in a reptile.

Cirurgias Do Trato Reprodutivo Em Quelônios E Seu Uso Na Conservação

“…A orquiectomia é considerada um procedimento difícil, pois a localização dorsocaudal dos testículos na cavidade celomática dificulta o acesso cirúrgico, além do mersórquio geralmente curto, que torna inviável exteriorizá-los do celoma; apesar de existirem variações anatômicas entre espécies. A proximidade com os rins e grandes vasos também são fatores limitantes (Rivera et al, 2011;Proença et al, 2014;Weisbrod et al, 2020). O acesso aos testículos pode ser realizado via osteotomia de plastrão ou pela fossa préfemural, com ou sem vídeo-assistência (Innis et al, 2013;Proença et al, 2014).…”

Retrospective Analysis of Blood Cultures and Their Association With Clinical Findings and Outcome in Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) at a Florida Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility, 2017–2020

“…29 Blood cultures are an underutilized tool in sea turtle medicine, and are primarily used for individuals with insufficient clinical improvement with broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy during rehabilitation. 56 Anecdotally, blood cultures are rarely collected during intake at sea turtle rehabilitation facilities; therefore confirmation of suspected bacteremia/ septicemia is uncommon prior to starting antibiotics. After extensive antimicrobial therapy has commenced, the interpretation of negative blood cultures and their role ruling out septicemia as a cause of debilitation is challenging for the attending clinician.…”

Plasma proteomics of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) reveals pathway shifts and potential biomarker candidates associated with health and disease

“…Along with publication of a reference genome ( Wang et al , 2013 ), the worldwide distribution ( Jensen et al , 2019 ) and relatively common inclusion of green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) in research and rehabilitation settings make them a relevant model for studying disease pathophysiology in sea turtles. There are common clinical presentations of green turtles including trauma (including boat strikes, entanglement and shark bites), impaction with marine debris, fibropapillomatosis, buoyancy issues, cold stunning, parasitism and bacterial septicemia ( Lackovich et al , 1999 ; Torrent et al , 2005 ; Stamper et al , 2009 ; Flint et al , 2015 ; Chapman et al , 2017 ; Weisbrod et al , 2020 ) that allow relatively wide application of pathophysiologic metrics compared with other turtle species. Additionally, these animals represent an important evolutionary bridge between cold- and warm-blooded animals ( Work et al , 2015 ).…”