Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Surgical treatment of a congenital rectal cystic hamartoma in a 20-day Kurdish foal

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Saeed Azizi 1
Seyede Soraya Mahmoudi 2
Zahra Shamsi 1
Mohammad Akbari 1
Dara Azizi 1

1 Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2025.2067852.4862
Abstract
Hamartomas are mostly benign tumor-like malformations characterized by a disorganized overgrowth of mature cells and tissues indigenous to the affected anatomical site. A 20-day-old male Kurdish foal was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Urmia University, Urmia, Iran, with a history of hematochezia and tenesmus. Clinical examination identified a pedunculated tissue mass within the rectal lumen. The abnormal mass was surgically excised via polypectomy under local anesthesia. Tissue samples were obtained, fixed in 10.00% neutral buffered formalin, and processed routinely for histopathological examination. Histopathological evaluation of the resected tissue confirmed the diagnosis of a cystic polypoid rectal hamartoma characterized by normal rectal epithelium overlying multiple cystic, blood-filled vascular spaces. The foal recovered without complications and no recurrence was noted during a long-term follow-up exceeding 18 months. This report underscored that congenital rectal hamartoma, while rare, should be considered as a differential diagnosis in neonatal foals presenting with hematochezia or dyschezia. Prompt surgical intervention is curative and associated with a favorable prognosis. 

Keywords

Foal
Rectum
Congenital malformations
Cystic hamartoma
Polypectomy

Subjects

Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 17, Issue 2
February 2026
Pages 141-144

  • Receive Date 03 August 2025
  • Revise Date 23 August 2025
  • Accept Date 11 October 2025

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