[The diagnosis of primary olfactory mucosa neoplasms demonstrated by an esthesioneuroepthelioma in the dog].

In context with the first light and electron microscopic description of a spontaneous esthesioneuroepithelioma in a dog (10 year old female Labrador) general morpho- and etiopathogenetic problems concerning olfactory neoplasias were discussed. Because of its specific location and growth pattern, especially the development of true rosettes and pseudo-rosettes, the tumor was evaluated light microscopically as an esthesioneurogeneic one. The final classification was based upon ultrastructural peculiarities, as occurrence of ciliar structures, characteristic intercellular junctions, and the - although rare - appearance of dense cored vesicles.