Partial tracheal obstruction due to chondromas in ball pythons (Python regius)

Over a 9-mo period, three adult ball pythons (Python regius) (one male, two females) were evaluated for severe dyspnea. Partial obstructions of the tr acheal lumen were identified radiographically and/or visualized with a 3.0- mm rigid laparoscope inserted into the tracheal lumen in all three snakes. Administration of systemic antibiotics and nebulization resulted in partial improvement of the dyspnea. In two snakes, the tracheal lesions were remov ed with a rigid laparoscope and a flexible biopsy instrument inserted into the tracheal lumen. The other snake died and was necropsied. Histologically , the lesions from two snakes were determined to be benign chondromas. The chondromas were composed of a variably disorganized chondroid matrix popula ted by quiescent, normal-appearing chondrocytes within lacunae, although th e chondrocytes were increased in density compared with normal hyaline carti lage and contained rare mitotic figures. The tracheal masses in one snake g rew by expansion, not invasion, and were focally continuous with a minerali zed cartilage tracheal ring, suggesting a benign nature. This is the second report of tracheal chondroma in ball pythons. Tracheal chondromas are exce edingly rare in humans and domesticated animals, suggesting a possible pred isposition of ball pythons for this neoplasm.