Pathological and immunohistochemical features of subdural histiocytic sarcomas in 15 dogs

Subdural histiocytic sarcomas from 15 dogs (mean age 7.8 years) were histopathologically examined. Among the 15 dogs, there was a marked breed predominance (toward Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs, 47%), but no gender predilection. Focal solitary subdural masses were detected in the cerebrum (12 cases) and spinal cord (1 case), whereas diffuse infiltrative lesions were observed in the cerebral leptomeninges in 2 cases. All neoplastic lesions had common histological features characterized by the proliferation of pleomorphic histiocytic cells combined with various inflammatory reactions. Multinucleated giant cells, phagocytosis, and atypical mitotic figures in the neoplastic cells were commonly observed. Most of the pleomorphic neoplastic cells in the present cases were immunopositive for monocytic, histiocytic, or both markers, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), cluster of differentiation (CD)163, and CD204, except for the neoplastic cells in 2 focal and 2 diffuse histiocytic sarcomas. The findings suggest that differences in cell origin, molecular expression, or both patterns are responsible for the distribution patterns of canine subdural histiocytic sarcomas.