Volume 15, Issue 2: 2025 - Article 200

Abstract
Fibroepithelial polyps (acrochordons) are benign cutaneous outgrowths of the fibrous stroma and overlying epidermis that are well characterized in human medicine but seldom described in dogs, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognition of their distinctive pathology is critical to differentiate them from malignant or infectious skin masses. A 7-year-old intact male Boerboel dog presented with a solitary, soft, pedunculated skin mass located immediately cranial to the penultimate left mammary gland. Gross examination revealed a cylindrical, polypoid fragment on a slender stalk measuring 3.5 cm in overall length and 1.0 cm in maximum diameter. A cut surface of the mass showed a homogeneous, glistening whitish core surrounded by a thin epidermal rim without haemorrhage, necrosis or ulceration. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections demonstrated a markedly thickened epidermis featuring combined orthokeratotic (non-nucleated) and parakeratotic (retained nuclei) hyperkeratosis. Moderate to pronounced acanthosis formed elongated, anastomosing rete ridges that projected over an expanded fibrovascular core. The stratum corneum exhibited marked hyperpigmentation. The dermis comprised loose fibrovascular stroma with interlacing bundles of mature collagen fibres and numerous small- to medium-sized, thin-walled capillaries. Adnexal units (hair follicles, sebaceous glands) were hyperplastic but architecturally intact. Importantly, there was no cellular atypia, dysplasia, inflammatory infiltrate or evidence of invasive growth. The gross morphology (a narrow stalk supporting a uniformly fibrous whitish core) and the histopathological hallmarks of hyperkeratotic, acanthotic epidermis overlying loose fibrovascular stroma are diagnostic of a benign fibroepithelial polyp. This case emphasizes the indispensable role of detailed pathological assessment in distinguishing acrochordons from more aggressive skin lesions, and contributes valuable documentation of this lesion to Nigerian canine practice.


Keywords: Fibroepithelial polyp; Acrochordon; Dog; Case report; Pathology.

How to cite this article:
Olaifa OS, Samuel ES, Antia RE, Usman AA,  Ajayi JO, Ola OO, Akanbi OB, Tiamiyu O, Ogunbule AE and Jarikre TA (2025). A case report of a fibroepithelial polyp (acrochordon) in a Boerboel dog. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(2): 1165 – 1172.

*Correspondence: E-mail:  sekundayo90@yahoo.com      Phone: +2348038905747

A case report of a fibroepithelial polyp (acrochordon) in a Boerboel dog
Olanrewaju S. Olaifa ¹, Ekundayo S. Samuel ^{2 *}, Richard E. Antia ¹, Abdulrauf A. Usman ¹,  John O. Ajayi ³, Olawale O. Ola ¹, Olatunde B. Akanbi ⁴, Olubukola Tiamiyu ¹, Adedayo E. Ogunbule ¹ and Theophilus A. Jarikre ¹

¹ Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
² Oncology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
³ Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

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