Surgical Removal of a Third (Cutaneous) Horn in a Ram: A Case Report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Cutaneous horn, also known as Cornu cutaneum, is a firm, hyperkeratotic, cone-shaped projection from the skin surface that varies in size. These keratinous skin lesions may be classified as primary benign, premalignant, or malignant. The etiology of Cornu cutaneum remains unclear; however, it is believed to be associated with exposure to radiation, certain tumors, and various viruses. A 2-year-old ram, weighing 60 kilograms, was admitted to Shiraz University Teaching Hospital with a primary complaint of ram fighting and horn fracture. A thorough examination of the case revealed that the ram had three horns, with the third horn (cutaneous horn) exhibiting a fracture. The cutaneous horn was located on the nose, and upon inspection, it was observed to be movable and lacked a root. The consistency of the cutaneous horn was found to be comparable to that of primary horns. The present study reports a case of third (cutaneous) horn of a ram treated with surgical excision, and the rationale for this intervention is discussed. A surgical excision was performed, and an elliptical incision was made, taking into consideration the cutaneous limitations for surgical wound closure. Postoperative care involved surgical wound closure, and the ram was discharged approximately two hours later. Unfortunately, a histopathological examination of the lesion was not possible. However, its location and the absence of any evidence of malignancy suggest a potential association with sun exposure.

Keywords

References

  1. Mercer EH. Keratin and keratinization; an essay in molecular biology. International series of monographs on pure and applied biology, published by pergamon press, Oxford, 1961.
  2. Hoefs, M., The thermoregulatory potential of Ovis horn cores. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 2000. 78(8): p. 1419-1426.
  3. Li, B.-W., H.-P. Zhao, and X.-Q. Feng, Static and dynamic mechanical properties of cattle horns. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2011. 31(2): p. 179-183.
  4. Emlen, D.J., The evolution of animal weapons. Annual review of ecology, evolution, and systematics, 2008. 39(1): p. 387-413.
  5. Mckittrick, J., et al., The structure, functions, and mechanical properties of keratin. Jom, 2012. 64: p. 449-468.
  6. Wang, B., et al., Keratin: Structure, mechanical properties, occurrence in biological organisms, and efforts at bioinspiration. Progress in materials science, 2016. 76: p. 229-318.
  7. Kitchener, A.C., Fighting and the mechanical design of horns and antlers, in Biomechanics in animal behaviour. 2021, Garland Science. p. 291-314.
  8. Drake, A., et al., Horn and horn core trabecular bone of bighorn sheep rams absorbs impact energy and reduces brain cavity accelerations during high impact ramming of the skull. Acta biomaterialia, 2016. 44: p. 41-50.
  9. Zhang, Y., et al., Microstructure and mechanical properties of different keratinous horns. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 2018. 15(143): p. 20180093.
  10. Carranza, J. and D. Carrasco, Cuerno cutáneo. FMC - Formación Médica Continuada en Atención Primaria, 2011. 18: p. 656–657.
  11. Yu, R.C., et al., A histopathological study of 643 cutaneous horns. Br J Dermatol, 1991. 124(5): p. 449-52.
  12. Igor, U., et al., A Rare case of cornu cutaneum on the skin of a cat's neck. 2021. LIV: p. 174-178.
  13. Polinas, M. and G.P. Burrai, Histological and Immunohistochemical Features of Trichoblastoma in a Sarda Breed Sheep. 2020. 10(11).
  14. Souza, L.N., C.R. Martins, and A.M. de Paula, Cutaneous horn occurring on the lip of a child. Int J Paediatr Dent, 2003. 13(5): p. 365-7.
  15. Lorenzetti, C. and L. Corlatti, A case of exceptionally sized cutaneous horn in Alpine chamois? Journal of Mountain Ecology, 2013. 9: p. 75-82.
  16. Copcu, E., N. Sivrioglu, and N. Culhaci, Cutaneous horns: are these lesions as innocent as they seem to be? World Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2004. 2(1): p. 18.
  17. Phulari, R.G., et al., Cutaneous horn: A mask to underlying malignancy. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol, 2018. 22(Suppl 1): p. S87-s90.
  18. Alinia, Z., et al., Cutaneous horn (cornu cutaneum) in a Pakistani goat. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2019. 28.
  19. Ladds, P.W. and P.W. Daniels, Animal model of human disease. Squamous cell carcinoma. Ovine squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Pathol, 1982. 107(1): p. 122-3.
  20. Al-Ani, F.K., et al., Occurrence of congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats: 211 cases investigated in 19 herds. Small Ruminant Research, 1998. 28(3): p. 225-232.
  21. Kumar, S., et al., A rare case of cornu cutaneum in Indian buffalo. Indian Journal of Veterinary Pathology, 2015. 39: p. 251.
  22. Das Jagdish, Singh Rajendra, Bamniya Yatish and Kumar Pradeep (2021). Surgical management of cutaneous horn (cornu cutaneum) in a buffalo: A case report. Ruminant Science 10(1):209-210.
  23. Hamir, A.N., C. Kunz, and L.H. Evans, Equine keratoma. J Vet Diagn Invest, 1992. 4(1): p. 99-100.
  24. Araújo, J., S. Lima, and E. Rondon, Mucocutaneous Horn in Dog. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2021. 48: p. 1-4.
  25. Nagata, M. and W. Rosenkrantz, Cutaneous viral dermatoses in dogs and cats. Compend Contin Educ Vet, 2013. 35(7): p. 1- 10.
Veterinary and Comparative Biomedical Research
Volume 2, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 92-96

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics