Extraskeletal chondroma of the tongue in a two-year-old quarter horse colt: a case report

Extraskeletal chondromas (ESCs) are rare benign tumours composed of mature cartilage that typically develop in soft tissues. Their occurrence in horses is extremely uncommon and, to the authors’ knowledge, no previous cases of lingual ESCs in equines have been reported. This report describes a two-year-old Quarter Horse colt presented with progressive dysphagia. Clinical examination revealed a solitary, multilobulated, firm-elastic mass located at the dorsal aboral portion (base) of the tongue. Diagnostic imaging ruled out bone involvement. The mass was surgically excised under general anaesthesia, with a tracheotomy performed to secure the airways; a histopathological diagnosis of ESC was achieved. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and at six months follow-up, the horse had fully returned to normal feeding behaviour, without signs of recurrence. This appears to be the first described case of an ESC affecting the tongue in horses, adding to the list of differential diagnoses for equine oral masses.