Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis: technique and results in six dogs

Biceps tenodesis was performed using an arthroscopic-assisted technique on six dogs diagnosed with chronic bicipital tendon pathology. The technique was performed using two different fixation methods (i.e., cannulated interference screw, cannulated screw and tissue washer). All six dogs had successful outcomes in terms of return to full function at a mean follow-up time of 11.7 months after surgery. Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis is a feasible option for surgical management of biceps tendon pathology, and it may have advantages over open tenodesis and open or arthroscopic tenotomy. Further study is needed before definitive recommendations regarding indications, complications, and prognosis associated with arthroscopic biceps tenodesis can be made.     

Surgical treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology, clinical findings, and long-term outcome of surgical treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 131 client-owned dogs with DLSS. METHODS: The medical records of dogs with DLSS treated by dorsal laminectomy and dorsal fenestration were reviewed. The clinical diagnosis had been verified by diskography, epidurography or myelography, or a combination thereof. RESULTS: The German shepherd breed was over-represented (56.5%), and males were more often affected than females (2:1). Historically, reluctance or pain when jumping, rising from a prone position, or climbing stairs (92.4%) and signs of pain or stiffness during extensive physical activity (85.5%) were the most frequent concerns. The most common physical and neurologic examination findings were pain in the lumbosacral area during hyperextension (97.7%) and on direct digital palpation (84.7%). A total of 93.2% of the dogs were improved clinically within the follow-up period (mean 26 +/- 17 months). Recurrence of clinical signs resembling DLSS was reported by the owner or diagnosed by clinical examination in 17.6% of the dogs with a mean onset of signs at 18 +/- 13 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of DLSS with dorsal laminectomy and fenestration generally resulted in good to excellent clinical outcome.     

Cutaneous plasmacytomas with amyloid in six dogs.

Cutaneous plasmacytomas associated with local deposition of amyloid were diagnosed by light microscopy in a series of six older dogs (mean age 10.7 years) consisting of two Cocker Spaniels, a Poodle, a Weimeraner, and two mixed-breed dogs. The neoplasms occurred on the digits (2 dogs), forelimb (2 dogs), lip (1 dog), and ear (1 dog). In most cases, groups of neoplastic plasma cells were widely separated by large homogeneous islands of amyloid. The neoplastic cells had characteristic plasmacytoid features, but the degree of pleomorphism varied greatly between different neoplasms. In four of the six tumors, the diagnosis of plasmacytoma was confirmed by the demonstration of a monoclonal plasma cell population using immunofluorescent staining for anti-canine immunoglobulins. In these tumors, the neoplastic cells reacted with only one class of immunoglobulins (IgG). The amyloid did not react with any of the reagents used. The suspicion that the amyloid was of immunoglobulin origin (primary amyloid) was supported by its retention of birefringence under polarized light after treatment with potassium permanganate and staining with Congo red.     

Original surgical treatment of thoracolumbar subarachnoid cysts in six chondrodystrophic dogs

Background

Subarachnoid cysts are rare conditions in veterinary medicine, associated with spinal cord dysfunction. Most of the 100 cases of subarachnoid cysts described since the first report in 1968 were apparently not true cysts. Reported cysts are usually situated in the cervical area and occur in predisposed breeds such as the Rottweiler. The purpose of this retrospective study, from May 2003 to April 2012, was to describe the distinctive features of thoracolumbar spinal subarachnoid cysts, together with their surgical treatment and outcome in 6 chondrodystrophic dogs.

Results

Five Pugs and 1 French Bulldog were examined. Images suggestive of a subarachnoid cyst were obtained by myelography (2/6) and computed tomography myelography (4/6), and associated disc herniation was observed in 3/6 dogs. A hemilaminectomy was performed. The protruding disc eventually found in 5/6 dogs was treated by lateral corpectomy. The ventral leptomeningeal adhesions observed in all dogs after durotomy were dissected. No or only mild post-operative neurological degradation was observed. Follow-up studies (7 months to 4 years) indicated good outcome and no recurrence.

Conclusions

All the thoracolumbar subarachnoid cysts described in these 6 chondrodystrophic dogs were associated with leptomeningeal adhesions. Good results seemed to be obtained by dissecting and removing these adhesions. A protruding disc, found here in 5/6 dogs, needs to be ruled out and can be treated by lateral corpectomy.     

Porencephaly and hydranencephaly in six dogs

A retrospective study was performed to identify dogs with cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavitatory lesions on MRI. Six dogs were included and the lesions were classified. In the three dogs in the present study with hydranencephaly, unilateral but complete loss of the temporal and parietal lobes was noted and had almost complete loss of the occipital and frontal lobes of a cerebral hemisphere. In the three dogs with porencephaly, there was unilateral incomplete loss of the parietal lobe and one dog had additional partial loss of the temporal and frontal lobes. Two of the dogs with porencephaly had seizures; the third showed no associated clinical signs. The dogs with hydranencephaly had mentation changes and circled compulsively. The two porencephalic dogs with seizures were treated with phenobarbitone. One of the dogs with hydranencephaly showed increased frequency and duration of circling; one dog's clinical signs did not progress and the third dog was euthanased due to increasing aggression. The dog with increased circling had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and the circling frequency reduced.     

Hospital incidence of hypospadias in dogs in North America

A review of medical records from 17 North American university veterinary medical teaching hospitals identified 66 dogs with hypospadias. Males predominated (15:1) and cryptorchidism was the most commonly diagnosed second anomaly, often associated with intersexuality. Fifteen cases, diagnosed at 10 different university hospitals, were Boston terriers, strongly suggesting that this breed has a familial predisposition for hypospadias. Male mongrels, as a group, were seen in approximately the same proportion as their representation in the hospital population, suggesting other components in the aetiology of the condition. If maternal histories are obtained as new cases are identified, a better understanding of the factors associated with the aetiology of the condition may be possible.     

Surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord neoplasia in two dogs

An area of intramedullary spinal cord enlargement at the thoracolumbar junction was identified by myelography in each of two dogs, Exploratory laminectomy followed by durotomy and myelotomy permitted removal of an intramedullary neoplasm in each dog. In one animal the tumour was diagnosed to be an ependymoma, in the other the tumour had the characteristics of a nephroblastoma. Following surgery each dog recovered quickly to pre-operative status or better. In one dog there was long term resolution of neurological deficits, while the other was euthanased because of persistent faecal incontinence.     

Gliomatosis cerebri in six dogs

Gliomatosis cerebri is a well-recognized entity in human medicine characterized by unusually widespread infiltration of the neuraxis by neoplastic glial cells with relative preservation of brain architecture. This report describes the pathologic features of the disease in six dogs. The dogs ranged from 3 to 9 years of age (mean 6.1 years) without evidence of breed predilection; five of the six dogs were neutered or intact males. The clinical findings were mixed (including depression, circling, cranial nerve deficits), reflecting the diffuse nature of the disease. Histologically, there was remarkably diffuse infiltration of the white and gray matter of the brain by small numbers of elongated neoplastic cells. Areas of greater cellularity formed grossly visible lesions in four cases. Anisocytosis and pleomorphism were greater in areas of higher cellularity. Other features of tumor growth included subpial accumulation, neuronal satellitosis, perivascular cuffing, and tropism for cranial nerve and brain stem nuclei. Neoplastic cells were negative on immunohistochemical stains for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and leukocyte markers, reflecting the uncertain histogenesis of these unusual neoplasms.     

Surgical manipulation of portosystemic shunts in dogs.

Surgical manipulation to achieve stenosis or occlusion of portocaval shunts in 7 dogs resulted in disappearance of signs of central nervous, gastrointestinal, or urinary dysfunction. Results of blood chemical analyses and hepatic function studies as well as hepatic cellular architecture returned to normal or near normal within several months. Cranial mesenteric angiography was done on 4 dogs following corrective surgery; there was evidence of improved hepatic-portal circulation in 3 of the dogs and complete shunt obstruction in 1 dog.     

Aortic and iliac thrombosis in six dogs

Six dogs had signs of pelvic limb weakness, pain and collapse as a result of occlusion of the distal aorta and/or the iliac arteries by a thrombus. Antemortem diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs, angiography and ultrasonography. Five dogs had concurrent disease that probably predisposed to thrombosis, including hyperadrenocorticism (three dogs), neoplasia and cardiac disease. Two dogs died shortly after the episode of thrombosis. Dogs that survived the acute episode received aspirin in an attempt to prevent thrombosis occurring again and all regained pelvic limb function. For dogs that survived longer than one month after the acute episode, repeat thrombosis was uncommon; hence the prognosis was related to the underlying disease. Aortic and iliac thrombosis in dogs is an uncommon condition that usually arises secondarily to a predisposing disease process; it carries a more favourable prognosis than feline aortic thromboembolism.     

Surgical treatment and radiation therapy of frontal lobe meningiomas in 7 dogs

The cases of 7 adult dogs with generalized seizures managed by surgical excision and radiation therapy for frontal lobe meningiomas were reviewed. The neurological examination was unremarkable in 6 of the 7 dogs. Five dogs were operated on using a bilateral transfrontal sinus approach and 2 using a unilateral sinotemporal approach to the frontal lobe. One dog was euthanized 14 d after surgery; radiation therapy was initiated 3 wk after surgery in the remaining 6 dogs. Long-term follow-up consisted of neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) scan after radiation therapy. The mean survival time for dogs that had surgery and radiation therapy was 18 mo after surgery. Frontal lobe meningiomas have been associated with poor prognosis. However, the surgical approaches used in these cases, combined with radiation therapy, allow a survival rate for frontal lobe meningiomas similar to that for meningiomas located over the cerebral convexities.     

Surgical and interventional radiographic treatment of dogs with hepatic arteriovenous fistulae

OBJECTIVE: To report outcome after surgical and interventional radiographic treatment of hepatic arteriovenous fistulae (HAVF) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=20) with HAVF. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with HAVF were reviewed. Referring veterinarians and owners were contacted by telephone. History, clinical signs, biochemical and hematologic variables, ultrasonographic and angiographic findings, surgical findings, techniques used to correct the HAVF, survival time, and clinical follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Canine HAVF often appeared to be an arteriovenous malformation rather than a single fistula. Multiple extrahepatic portosystemic shunts were identified in 19 dogs. Surgery (lobectomy or ligation of the nutrient artery) and/or interventional radiology (glue embolization of the abnormal arterial vessels) was performed in 17 dogs. Thirteen dogs were treated by surgery alone, 4 dogs by glue embolization alone, and 1 dog by glue embolization and surgery. Three dogs treated by surgery alone died <1 month later, and 3 dogs were subsequently euthanatized or died because of persistent clinical signs. None of the dogs treated by glue embolization died <1month after the procedure and all were alive, without clinical signs, at follow-up (9-17 months). Overall, 9 of 12 (75%) dogs with long-term follow-up required dietary or medical management of clinical signs. CONCLUSION: HAVF-related death occurred less frequently after glue embolization than after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Glue embolization may be a good alternative to surgery for treatment of certain canine HAVF.     

Surgical treatment for multiple lesions of elbow dysplasia in two dogs

The presence of an ununited coronoid process, an ununited anconeal process and an ectopic proximolateral radial ossification center are described in a single elbow joint of a ten month old unspayed Great Dane. This animal and a nine month old spayed Saint Bernard, also with an ununited coronoid process, both had marked degenerative osteoarthritis associated with the instabilities.

Chronic lameness and significant palpable elbow joint enlargement(s) were apparent in both dogs. Radiography was used to identify the lesions and surgical treatment produced satisfactory remission of signs.

     

Surgical treatment of septic peritonitis without abdominal drainage in 28 dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of 28 dogs with generalized septic peritonitis treated without postoperative abdominal drainage. The overall mortality rate was 46%, with most cases of peritonitis being caused by leakage of the gastrointestinal tract (75%). Etiology of peritonitis, abdominal cytopathology, total white blood cell count, packed cell volume, total protein, and results of serum biochemistries were not statistically different between survivors and nonsurvivors. The mortality rate of 46% is similar to other studies in which the abdomen was left open postoperatively for the management of septic peritonitis, although more advanced medical treatment than that used in earlier studies may have positively affected the outcome. The results of this study show that closure of the abdomen after the source of contamination has been successfully corrected, in combination with thorough intraoperative peritoneal lavage and appropriate postoperative medical management, may be an acceptable alternative method for the management of septic peritonitis.     

Surgical treatment of lumbosacral instability caused by discospondylitis in four dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical technique involving distraction and stabilization of the lumbo-sacral vertebral segment using an external skeletal fixator in dogs with lumbosacral instability caused by discospondylitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Four client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records of all dogs diagnosed with discospondylitis from 1994 to 1997 were identified and reviewed. Four dogs with lumbosacral discospondylitis requiring surgical treatment were then specifically studied. Surgical technique, clinical signs, preoperative diagnostic investigation, radiographic findings, and the results of short-term and long-term reevaluations were recorded. RESULTS: Twelve dogs with discospondylitis were identified, 4 of which had lumbosacral discospondylitis. These 4 dogs underwent surgical distraction and stabilization because they failed to respond to medical treatment. Three dogs received a cancellous bone graft between L7 and S1 and had rapid interbody fusion of this vertebral segment. The dog that did not receive a graft did not have interbody fusion at the time of fixator removal. This did not affect the final clinical outcome. Lumbosacral pain and neurological deficits present before surgery rapidly subsided after the procedure. All dogs received concurrent antibiotic treatment for a minimum of 4 weeks. All dogs were clinically normal at the time of fixator removal and all continued to do well during the follow-up period (8-48 months; mean, 27.5 months). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lumbosacral discospondylitis may not respond well to conservative treatment because of the mobility of the affected space. Surgical treatment involving distraction and stabilization to obtain intervertebral fusion is very effective in treating lumbosacral instability caused by discospondylitis.     

Hyalinizing pancreatic adenocarcinoma in six dogs

Exocrine pancreatic carcinoma is a particularly malignant neoplasm of the dog. Clinical and pathologic findings of an unusual variant of exocrine pancreatic neoplasia termed hyalinizing pancreatic adenocarcinoma were evaluated in 6 dogs. On microscopic examination, neoplasms were composed of tubules and acini of epithelial cells, with bright eosinophilic granular apical cytoplasm. Tubular lumina and tumor stroma contained abundant hyaline material that resembled amyloid. The hyaline material was not congophilic, and tumor cells and hyaline material were immunohistochemically negative for amyloid A, immunoglobulin light chains (kappa and lambda), amylin (islet amyloid polypeptide), laminin, and alpha(1)-antitrypsin. Two patients survived longer than 15 months after diagnosis; one of these dogs was untreated and had grossly evident metastasis at the time of diagnosis. The deaths of the other 4 dogs occurred as a result of poor recovery after partial pancreatectomy or in association with other concurrent life-threatening conditions. Two dogs were diagnosed with panniculitis, a condition rarely associated with pancreatic disease. Further evaluation is needed to determine the composition and biologic significance of intratumor hyaline material. Studies that associate exocrine pancreatic carcinoma grade and histologic subtype with prognostic outcomes in the dog are warranted such that appropriate therapy can be elected.     

Body cavity lipomas in six dogs

Histologically confirmed lipomas were surgically removed from the thoracic or abdominal cavities of six dogs. Three dogs had a large intra-abdominal mass causing severe abdominal distension. Two dogs had a mass extending into the pelvic canal, compressing the colon and causing obstipation. One dog with an intrathoracic mass had a history of coughing and intermittent cyanosis. All dogs had complete resolution of signs after surgical resection of the tumour. Recurrence occurred in one dog with an abdominal lipoma, two years after the initial surgery. This recurrent lipoma was treated successfully by surgical resection.