This study presents a case of a primary hepatic myofibroblastic tumour in a 15-year-old European Shorthair female cat. The cat showed a gradual increase in liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), and an abdominal ultrasound revealed a tumour located within the left lateral lobe of the liver. The tumour was surgically excised and sent for histopathology. Histopathological examination showed that the tumour was composed of homogeneous fusiform cells with low mitotic count, crowded within the perisinusoidal, portal and interlobular spaces, and entrapment of hepatocytes and bile ducts. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumour cells expressed vimentin and α-SMA, and were negative to desmin and cytokeratins. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical features, as well as some similarities with analogous entities in humans and animals, the tumour was classified as a myofibroblastic neoplasm originating from the liver.

Congenital bilateral diaphragm agenesis is a very rare condition. We describe limited (abdomen only) autopsy findings of a case of bilateral diaphragm agenesis in a 27-week male fetus with unusual findings of fibrosis of the pancreatic head and ectopic liver nodules in a mass at the upper abdomen that may represent a possible diaphragm anlage. We have correlated our observations with data from experimental and embryological studies to suggest possible mechanisms for the malformations that were present and their implications for our understanding of pancreas, liver and diaphragm development in the human fetus.