Magnetic resonance imaging and histological classification of intracranial meningiomas in 112 dogs

BACKGROUND: Intracranial meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors in dogs. Classification of meningiomas by tumor grade and subtype has not been reported, and the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for predicting tumor subtype and grade has not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS: Canine intracranial meningiomas are a heterogenous group of tumors with differing histological subtypes and grades. Prediction of histopathological classification is possible based on MRI characteristics. ANIMALS: One hundred and twelve dogs with a histological diagnosis of intracranial meningioma. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. RESULTS: Meningiomas were overrepresented in the Golden Retriever and Boxer breeds with no sex predilection. The incidence of specific tumor grades was 56% benign (Grade I), 43% atypical (Grade II), and 1% malignant (Grade III). Grade I histological subtypes included meningothelial (43%), transitional (40%), microcystic (8%), psammomatous (6%), and angiomatous (3%). No statistically significant (P < .05) associations were found among tumor subtype or grade and any of the MRI features studied. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Meningiomas in dogs differ from their counterparts in humans mainly in their higher incidence of atypical (Grade II) tumors observed. MRI characteristics do not allow for prediction of meningioma subtype or grade, emphasizing the necessity of histopathology for antemortem diagnosis. The higher incidence of atypical tumors in dogs may contribute to the poorer therapeutic response in dogs with meningiomas as compared with the response in humans with meningiomas.     

USE OF TRANSCOLONIC 123I-IODOAMPHETAMINE TO DIAGNOSE SPONTANEOUS PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN 18 DOGS

Transcolonic ¹²³I-Iodoamphetamine is rapidly absorbed across the colonic mucosa and binds to amine receptors in the liver and lungs. During the first ten minutes following colonic administration, a simple ratio of lung counts to lung counts plus liver counts provides an accurate estimate of the fraction of portal blood that bypasses hepatic sinusoids in dogs with portosystemic shunts. Studies were performed on 24 dogs with suspect portosystemic shunt. Shunt fraction values for 18 dogs with surgically confirmed portosystemic shunt were obviously higher than published values for normal dogs, and also significantly higher than values for the other six dogs, later confirmed to lack shunts. Postoperative studies were repeated on ten dogs with single shunt vessels 1–2 days after shunt closure. Total shunt ligation resulted in normal postoperative shunt fraction, whereas partial shunt ligation resulted in persistant elevation of shunt fraction. Transcolonic iodoamphetamine scintigraphy is noninvasive, easy to perform, and provides an accurate method to diagnose dogs with portosystemic shunt.     

von Willebrand's disease in Scottish Terriers in Australia

SUMMARY Over a 5-year period (1988–92), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag) assays were performed on plasma samples from 207 Scottish Terriers. Based on these tests, 47 dogs (23%) had vWf:Ag concentrations < 50 canine units (CU)/dL and were classified as heterozygous carriers of the von Willebrand's disease (vWD) gene, while 9 (4%) had concentrations below the sensitivity of the assays and were classified as homozygous. There was thus an overall prevalence of 27% for the vWD gene in the Scottish Terriers tested. The homozygous dogs (median age 0.6 years at diagnosis) consisted of 7 males and 2 females. Eight of these had haemorrhage attributable to the disease, mostly spontaneous and from the oral mucosa. Other signs included haemorrhage induced by trauma or surgery, easy bruising and epistaxis. Many haemorrhagic episodes were severe enough to warrant therapeutic intervention and there was a single fatality. Pedigree analysis, possible in 7 of the dogs, revealed that each was the progeny of a mating between dogs with vWf:Ag concentrations < 50 CU/dL, which supported an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. A single heterozygous carrier suffered haemorrhage after surgery that, in contrast to the homozygotes, was mild and did not require therapy. The data indicate that vWD is a significant problem in Scottish Terriers in Australia. Accordingly, we recommend that steps be taken to reduce the prevalence of the disease and thereby the number of clinically affected dogs, such as the establishment of a national testing scheme to determine the vWD status of all breeding dogs.     

Transendoscopic injection of poly-L-lactic acid into the soft palate in horses: A new therapy for dorsal displacement of the soft palate?

The purpose of this study was to establish a minimal invasive, transendoscopic technique for injection of poly-L-lactic acid into the free edge of the soft palate that can be performed on the standing sedated horse. Furthermore, whether the implant material induces an increase in fibrous tissue at the injection site, resulting in a greater rigidity of the soft palate, was determined.In 4 horses, the injection was performed bilaterally along the caudal margin of the soft palate, and the influence of the treatment on the soft palate function was determined. Clinical, radiographic and endoscopic examinations at rest were performed before and up to 168 days after injection according to a standardized examination protocol.In 6 horses, the implant material was injected unilaterally into the right half of the caudal margin of the soft palate. After clinical and endoscopic follow-up examinations, 2 horses each were killed 28, 84, and 168 days after the implantation procedure. At necropsy, macroscopic comparison of the treated and the untreated halves of the soft palate showed the influence on the size of the ostium intrapharyngeum and on the soft palate thickness. The localization of the implant material in the soft palate and the tissue response to the poly-L-lactic acid were evaluated histologically.Transendoscopic injection into the soft palate requires neither general anesthesia nor wound management, and it is noted for minimal tissue trauma. After injection, no alteration of the soft palate function was observed in horses with normal upper airway mechanics. One horse with intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate showed an improvement of the soft palate function for 112 days after implantation. No significant alteration in the size of the ostium intrapharyngeum was evident in any horse. Histologic assessment indicated the presence of implant material during the entire observation period of 168 days. The implant was accompanied by a granulomatous inflammation, and it was encapsulated by fibrous tissue. This may result in an increase in stiffness, and subsequent a greater rigidity of the soft palate, preventing it from displacement. The injection may therefore be considered an alternative to established therapies in horses showing dorsal displacement of the soft palate because of its unstable free edge.     

Prevalence of pituitary tumors among diabetic cats with insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of pituitary tumors, detectable by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, in cats with insulin resistance suspected to have acromegaly or hyperadrenocorticism versus cats with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 16 cats with insulin resistance that were also suspected to have acromegaly (n = 12) or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (4) and 8 cats with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. PROCEDURE: Computed tomography was performed on all 16 cats with insulin resistance and 2 cats in which diabetes mellitus was well-controlled. The remaining 6 cats in which diabetes mellitus was well-controlled underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Images were obtained before and immediately after i.v. administration of contrast medium. RESULTS: Computed tomography revealed a mass in the region of the pituitary gland in all 16 cats with insulin resistance. Maximum width of the masses ranged from 4.4 to 12.7 mm; maximum height ranged from 3.1 to 12.6 mm. Results of computed tomography performed on 2 cats with well-controlled diabetes and magnetic resonance imaging performed on the remaining 6 cats were considered normal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cats with insulin resistance suspected to have acromegaly or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism are likely to have a pituitary mass detectable by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.     

GASTROINTESTINAL NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Nuclear medicine has achieved an important role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) disease in humans. Esophageal and gastric motility problems, gastroesophageal reflux, abnormal gastric secretory function, GI bleeding, and inflammatory diseases of the GI tract can all be evaluated using nuclear scintigraphy. The use of these techniques in human medicine, their advantages and disadvantages relative to other available diagnostic tests, and their potential application to veterinary medicine are discussed. Examples of esophageal and gastric motility studies performed on normal and abnormal dogs are included.     

INTRACRANIAL RING ENHANCING LESIONS IN DOGS: A CORRELATIVE CT SCANNING AND NEUROPATHOLOGIC STUDY

This retrospective analysis of 15 dogs with postcontrast ring enhancing brain lesions, each detected by a single Computed Tomography [CT] examination, searched for any association between their CT appearance and the pathologic diagnosis. In a subgroup of these dogs [n = 7] necropsied within 2 days of the last CT scan, we evaluated whether there was any anatomic correlation between the ring zone and the histopathologic features of the lesions. Our study consisted of eight dogs with primary brain tumors [3 meningiomas, 3 astrocytomas, 1 mixed glioma, 1 oligodendroglioma], 4 with metastatic brain tumors [2 fibrosarcomas, 1 mammary carcinoma, 1 melanoma] and 3 with non-neoplastic brain lesions [2 intraparenchymal hemorrhages, 1 pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis]. The overall size and shape of the contrast enhancing CT lesions, as well as the thickness, surface texture and degree of enhancement of the ring were subjectively evaluated. No association was found between the CT lesion characteristics and the pathologic diagnosis. In the sub-group of dogs euthanatized within 2 days of the CT examination, distinct histologic features which anatomically correlated with the zone of ring enhancement were found in 3 of 7 lesions. The findings of this study are consistent with those of ring-enhancing lesions in people, and indicates that CT ring enhancement is a non-specific phenomenon which can occur in a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in the dog.     

Effect of acepromazine, xylazine and thiopentone on factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration in dogs

The effect of acepromazine maleate, xylazine and thiopentone on the packed cell volume, plasma protein content, factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration of blood was studied in normal dogs. The same variables were measured in dogs with haemophilia A given acepromazine maleate and thiopentone. Both the packed cell volume and plasma protein content decreased after the administration of either acepromazine maleate or xylazine. Values were not changed further after administration of thiopentone. Changes in the haemostatic variables measured were generally small. Consequently, blood samples collected from dogs under the influence of premedicant doses of acepromazine maleate or xylazine, and when subsequently anaesthetised with thiopentone, are adequate for the assay of factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration for establishing an animal's haemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease status.     

Identification of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida in atrophic rhinitis of pigs by in vitro characterisation

Toxigenic strains of Pasteurella multocida were readily differentiated from non-toxigenic strains by an agarose overlay method using bovine turbinate cells or bovine lung cells. Cells which were young and densely confluent were best suited to this assay. The incubation period required to distinguish toxigenic strains was dependent on the confluence of the monolayers, which was affected by the seeding rate, cell passage level and growth time prior to overlay. The agarose overlay method correctly identified 11 of 11 reference strains of Pasteurella multocida, and visible cytotoxic changes were present in the monolayers after 48 to 65 h. Outbreaks of the enzootic form of atrophic rhinitis in 2 New South Wales piggeries were associated with the isolation of toxigenic type D strains of P. multocida.