Assessment of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and tissue velocity imaging (TVI) in 14 dogs with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment with doxorubicin.

Doxorubicin has been shown to be cardiotoxic at high doses but is an efficacious chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of canine lymphoma. Echocardiographic measurements and serum ultrasensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were obtained before and after doxorubicin administration in 14 dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate changes in cTnI concentrations and tissue velocity imaging (TVI) values in dogs with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy with doxorubicin. A total of 182 cTnI and 1017 TVI measurements were performed. Standard echocardiographic parameters, tissue Doppler indices and cTnI concentrations did not differ at any time point within a 12-week cyclic combination protocol. In conclusion, the use of doxorubicin at standard doses in the treatment of canine lymphoma may not be associated with significant myocardial damage.

Masitinib monotherapy in canine epitheliotropic lymphoma.

This study evaluated efficacy and side effects of masitinib in canine epitheliotropic lymphoma. Complete remission occurred in 2 of 10 dogs and lasted for median 85 days. Five dogs went into partial remission for median 60.5 days. Three pretreated dogs did not respond to therapy. Side effects occurred in six dogs and were mostly mild to moderate. Immunohistochemistry was available for eight dogs. KIT receptor was negative in all of them, six of eight lymphomas stained strongly positive for stem cell factor (SCF). platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA was weakly positive in two and negative in six. PDGF-BB was negative in four tumours, weakly positive in one and strongly positive in three. One was strongly positive for PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-ß, seven were negative for that receptor. Five showed strong expression of PDGFR-α, two showed weak expression, one was negative. In conclusion, masitinib is effective in treating canine epitheliotropic lymphoma. But its effects are most likely not generated through the KIT receptor.

Splenic and hepatic ultrasound and cytology in canine lymphoma: effects of findings on stage migration and assessment of prognosis.

Stage migration is described in humans and dogs as a sequel of using more sensitive diagnostic methods. One hundred eighty-six dogs with multicentric lymphoma were enrolled with results of conventional staging as well as ultrasonographic and cytological examination of liver and spleen being available. The addition of splenic respective hepatic ultrasound and cytology findings resulted in slightly lower number of dogs classified as having liver and spleen involvement. In dogs with multicentric lymphoma, addition of cytology led to a significant shift of individuals from stage IV to stage III. Findings of hepatic and splenic ultrasound and cytology exerted no significant influence on complete remission and survival durations in dogs with combination chemotherapy. Staging methodology in canine lymphoma should be redefined, considering that the prognostic significance of splenic and hepatic ultrasound and cytology warrants further investigation.

Ocular manifestation of lymphoma in newly diagnosed cats.

Ocular manifestations of lymphoma are described in humans and dogs but rarely in cats. In this prospective study, cats with newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve lymphoma were evaluated concerning clinical stage and ophthalmologic findings. Twenty-six cats were included. In 12 cats (48%), ocular changes were documented. Uveitis anterior and posterior were predominant findings, being present in 58% of affected individuals. Other findings included exophthalmos, corneal surface lesions and chemosis. Eight cats received chemotherapy, two of which had ocular involvement. In these two cats, a complete remission of an anterior and a partial remission of a posterior uveitis were documented. Due to the detection of ocular involvement, a stage migration from stage IV to V occurred in four patients. In the light of these findings, an opthalmological examination may be considered as an important part of staging in feline lymphoma as well as of follow-up examination in affected cats.

Treatment of feline lymphoma using a 12-week, maintenance-free combination chemotherapy protocol in 26 cats.

The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a short-term, maintenance-free chemotherapy protocol in feline lymphoma. Twenty-six cats with confirmed diagnosis of high-/intermediate-grade lymphoma were treated with a 12-week protocol consisting of cyclic administration of l-asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisolone. Complete (CR) and partial remission (PR) rates were 46 and 27%, respectively. Median duration of first CR was 394 days compared with a median PR duration of 41 days. No factor was identified to significantly influence the likelihood to reach CR. Overall survival amounted to 78 days (range: 9-2230 days). Median survival in CR cats was 454 days and in PR cats was 82 days. Toxicosis was mainly low grade with anorexia seen most frequently. In cats achieving CR, maintenance-free chemotherapy may be sufficient to attain long-term remission and survival. Factors aiding in prognosticating the likelihood for CR, strategies enhancing response and targeting chemotherapy-induced anorexia need to be identified in future.

Canine non-hematopoietic gastric neoplasia. Epidemiologic and diagnostic characteristics in 38 dogs with post-surgical outcome of five cases.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to investigate epidemiologic and diagnostic characteristics of canine non-hematopoietic gastric neoplasia and to evaluate the surgical outcome of selected cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient data of dogs with histologically confirmed non-hematopoietic gastric tumors were reviewed and dogs with surgical intervention were followed up. RESULTS: 38 dogs were included into the evaluation. Histopathologic diagnoses comprised carcinoma/adenocarcinoma (n=33), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) (n=4), and leiomyoma (n=1). Patients' median age was 10 years, median weight was 20 kg and the male:female ratio was 1.4:1. The breeds represented by most individuals were Chow Chow, Collie, Hovawart and mixed-breed. Most frequent presenting complaint was vomiting. Only a low proportion of dogs were presented with anemia, thrombocytopenia or hypoproteinemia. In 58% of cases, ultrasonographic examination led to findings that were considered compatible with gastric neoplasia. Gastric wall thickening and loss of layering were the most common sonographic findings. Most frequent endoscopic findings were mucosal thickening and reddening; ulcerations were infrequent. Computed tomography findings were compatible with gastric neoplasia in two cases in which CT was performed. Intra-operative cytology results showed accordance with histologic diagnoses in 88% of cases. Five dogs with different underlying pathology and variable disease extension underwent surgical tumor resection. In one patient, recurrence was diagnosed after 104 days. Survival times of these dogs ranged between 7 and 2326 days. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonography and, in selected cases, computed tomography aided in the diagnosis of gastric neoplasia. Intra-operative cytology possessed diagnostic value. In cases in which surgical resection was attempted, survival times varied markedly likely due to variable disease extension and underlying pathology (e.g. adenocarcinoma versus leiomyoma).

[Renal lymphoma in a cat: diagnostics, therapy and survival time. A case report]. / Das renale Lymphom bei der Katze: Diagnostik, Therapieverlauf und Überlebenszeit. Ein Fallbericht.

The clinical case report describes diagnostics, therapy, response and outcome in a 7-year-old castrated male European Shorthair cat with renal lymphoma. By use of a combination chemotherapy, partial remission was achieved 8 days after induction, with a complete remission after 72 days. During chemotherapy the cat had a good quality of life. Adverse effects were limited to two episodes of vomiting and one short period of slight depression. At 629 days after the end of the chemotherapy, following 1449 days in remission, a relapse of the renal lymphoma was diagnosed. During the second chemotherapy, extension of the lymphoma to the CNS became apparent and the cat was euthanized after an overall survival time of 1509 days (4 years). The case shows that treating renal lymphoma in cats by adequate combination chemotherapy can achieve long survival times with a good quality of life.

Splenic masses in dogs. Part 1: Epidemiologic, clinical characteristics as well as histopathologic diagnosis in 249 cases (2000-2011).

OBJECTIVE: Splenic masses have a high prevalence and are more common than diffuse splenic enlargement in dogs. It was the aim of the present study to retrospectively describe clinical aspects and histopathologic characteristics of dogs with splenic masses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of patients with a histologically diagnosed splenic mass between January 2000 and March 2011 were reviewed. RESULTS: 249 dogs met the inclusion criteria and could be included in the study. Splenic masses were diagnosed histologically as non-malignant disease (n=117; 47%) and malignant splenic disease (n=132; 53%). Hemangiosarcoma was the most common histological diagnosis (n=97; 73.5%). Other malignant tumors included sarcoma (n=14), fibrohistiocytic nodules (n=9) as well as lymphoma, blastoma and adenocarcinoma. The non-malignant masses consisted of nodular hyperplasia (n=60), splenic hematoma (n=41), and splenitis (n=6). Dogs with hemoperitoneum had a higher frequency of splenic neoplasia. CONCLUSION: The results corroborate previous findings that hemangiosarcoma is the most frequent neoplasm of the canine spleen. However, in approximately half of the cases benign lesions were histologically diagnosed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is essential that a frank discussion is held with owners regarding the prognosis associated with the treatment of dogs with a splenic mass associated with hemoperitoneum.

Ventricular fractional shortening in 108 dogs with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy with a cyclic combination protocol including doxorubicin.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in the left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) can be detected in dogs with malignant lymphoma undergoing a cyclic combination chemotherapy protocol including doxorubicin. HYPOTHESIS: Left ventricular fractional shortening as a stand-alone measurement will not show a significant change during the cyclic combination protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the records of dogs with malignant lymphoma treated between April 2001 and October 2010 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria comprised: a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, a cyclic combination chemotherapy (including L-asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisolone), and an echocardiographic examination by an experienced examiner before treatment and after each doxorubicin administration. RESULTS: One hundred and eight dogs were included and a total of 446 LVFS measurements had been performed. Patients were divided into four groups according to the number of doxorubicin administrations. Median LVFS did not change significantly during the cyclic combination protocol in all groups. All median LVFS values remained above the lower reference value of 25%. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The measurement of LVFS did not show a significant change during the cyclic combination protocol treatment including doxorubicin in this population of dogs. Therefore either this cyclic combination protocol does not cause a systolic dysfunction or LVFS is not sensitive enough to detect early changes. Newer methods that are more sensitive then LVFS might be necessary to detect such changes.

Postoperative treatment outcome in canine mammary tumors. Multivariate analysis of the prognostic value of pre- and postoperatively available information.

OBJECTIVE: Mammary tumors belong to the most common canine neoplasias. Few data are available on postoperative outcome and independent prognostic value of variables including pre-operatively available parameters such as cytology. The aim of this study was to characterize outcome following surgery and identify independent prognostic factors in canine mammary tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study in which dogs with mammary tumors underwent surgical tumor removal followed by histopathologic examination of the neoplasias. Kaplan-Meier log rank analysis and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate survival, recurrence-free interval (RFI) and metastasis free interval (MFI) as well as independent influence of variables on outcome. RESULTS: 134 dogs with mammary tumors were included. In 126 dogs without distant metastasis, overall survival duration was 1113 d; median RFI and MFI were not reached. Histologic grade showed independent influence on duration of RFI (p=0.040), MFI (p=0.007), and survival (p=0.029). Median survival in benign (n=98), grade 1 (n=10) and grade 2 (n=16) malignant tumors was 1319 d, 670 d, 406 d, respectively. Cytology exerted independent influence on the likelihood for recurrence (p=0.013), duration of RFI (p=0.026) and survival (p=0.030). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Histologic grade was of independent prognostic significance for postoperative outcome in this population of dogs with mammary tumors. As a pre-operatively available parameter, cytology may also possess prognostic value in canine mammary neoplasias.

[Non-adjustable sling for treatment of male stress urinary incontinence]. / Nicht adjustierbare Bänder zur Therapie der männlichen Belastungsharninkontinenz.

Even though the artificial sphincter is still the treatment of choice in the surgical therapy of male stress urinary incontinence, recent developments have introduced numerous minimally invasive treatment options with acceptable clinical results. The male slings have been included into the EAU guidelines for treatment of male stress urinary incontinence. A distinct choice of patients and treatment options will lead to the highest chance of success. Besides the adjustable compressive slings, the non-adjustable and non-compressive AdVance Sling offers a possible option for a functional approach to treatmentratio. A critical assessment of all these methods remains essential and prospective randomized trials are still missing.

Continuous image recording using gray-tone, dry-process silver paper.

A method of recording continuous gray-tone images on dry-process silver paper from raster-scan video signals is described. The Tektronix 4634 image-forming module uses a fiber-optic faceplate cathode-ray tube to couple the light output onto the recording paper. The latent image is heat developed and presented in sheet form. An initial comparison between dry silver paper and conventional film for video-generated computed tomography and nuclear medicine examinations, shows little apparent difference in image quality. Considerable cost savings are possible when using dry silver paper. Additional cost savings are possible if multiple images can be recorded on each dry silver sheet.