Superficial keratectomy and cryosurgery as therapy for limbal neoplasms in 13 horses

Objective To determine the usefulness and clinical outcome of a combined procedure of superficial keratectomy and cryosurgery as a treatment for limbal neoplasms in horses. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Thirteen horses with 14 limbal tumors. Methods Medical records of all patients with limbal tumors, referred to the Department of Equine Sciences of Utrecht University between 1995 and 2002, were retrieved. Patient data were analyzed with respect to signalment, tumor surface area and histologic diagnosis. Surgery, performed under general anesthesia, included surgical debulking of the tumor followed by cryosurgery. Long‐term follow‐up information was obtained by re‐evaluation in the clinic, by the referring veterinarian, and/or by telephone enquiry. Results Therapy was successful in 9 out of 14 eyes after the first attempt (64%); one eye needed retreatment (7%), and four eyes were eventually enucleated (29%). The mean follow‐up period was 4.8 years. The initial surface area of the tumor significantly influenced outcome (P < 0.01). Squamous cell carcinoma was the most predominant tumor type (79%). Haflinger horses accounted for 69% of the cases whereas their occurrence in the overall hospital population is approximately 5%. Conclusions and clinical relevance The described technique of superficial keratectomy and cryosurgery is a simple procedure for the treatment of limbal tumors in equine patients that does not require sophisticated equipment. Nor is it tampered by legal restriction, and appears to be effective in tumors with a small surface area (< 2 cm²). Haflinger horses seem to be predisposed for the development of ocular squamous cell carcinoma.     

Management of eyelid neoplasms in the dog and cat

Eyelid neoplasms are common in the older dog and typically benign. Eyelid neoplasms in the cat are less common and more often malignant. Resection of eyelid masses may be curative; however, restoration of the eyelid structure after mass excision is essential for maintaining long-term ocular surface health. Surgical techniques and instrumentation for eyelid surgery are reviewed. Indications, benefits. and limitations of sharp excision, cryotherapy, and laser excision and ablation are discussed. Neoplasia of the third eyelid is also discussed.     

马实验性软组织伤冷冻效应观察

选择营养中等的成龄健康蒙古马10匹,分为两组,均实验性地造成体表软组织伤(长12cm,深3cm切口),分别立即及24h后进行冷冻。对冷冻诱起马体表局部软组织坏死及其修复特点,以及冷冻性免疫作用进行了系统观察。结果:①体表软组织冷冻性坏死的性质,最初属凝固性坏死,以后呈干性或湿性坏疽变化;②在冷冻性损伤修复过程中,损伤深部健康组织首先形成肉芽组织分界面,成为防止感染的屏障和修复损伤的肉芽组织基础;在坏死组织脱落后,伤面pH为7.0～7.7,有利于肉芽再生和防止化脓性感染;修复过程明显见有组织坏死及肉穿组织生成,属第二期愈合,但愈合后不留功能障碍;③冷冻性坏死能诱起T淋巴细胞显著增多(冷冻后第三周t=2.8068,P<0.05,第四周t=6.4869, P<0.01),可作为冷冻性免疫力增强的指标之一。     

Surgical excision of a feline orbital lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma with adjunctive cryotherapy and carboplatin‐impregnated bead implantation

The purpose of this report was to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of a cat with an orbital lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma. A 14.5‐year‐old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a firm swelling at the left dorsotemporal orbital rim. The orbital mass was excised with preservation of the globe, and adjunctive cryotherapy was performed. A definitive diagnosis of lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma was obtained after histopathologic evaluation and histochemical staining with periodic acid–Schiff and mucicarmine. Thirteen months postoperatively, tumor regrowth occurred with a much larger osteolytic lesion, and a second surgery was performed consisting of tumor excision with implantation of carboplatin‐impregnated calcium sulfate hemihydrate beads. The cat has remained free of recurrence 11 months after the second surgery (26 months after initial diagnosis and surgery). A feline orbital lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma was successfully managed utilizing globe‐preserving surgical excision with adjunctive cryotherapy and subsequent carboplatin‐impregnated bead implantation. Orbital lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma in cats may not be as aggressive as other forms of periocular, head, and neck adenocarcinomas.