Therapeutic response and prognostic factors of 14 dogs undergoing transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular masses: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the therapeutic effect and outcome of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatic masses is limited in veterinary medicine. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the therapeutic response, outcome (overall survival), and their predictors in dogs that underwent TAE for primary hepatocellular masses. We hypothesized that larger pre-TAE tumors would be associated with worse outcomes. ANIMALS: Fourteen client-owned dogs. METHODS: Retrospective study. Medical records between 1 September 2016 and 30 April 2022 were reviewed to identify dogs treated with TAE for hepatic masses diagnosed as hepatocellular origin by cytological or histopathological examination. Computed tomography images were compared before and after TAE. The univariate Cox proportional hazards test was performed to assess the associations between variables and survival. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between variables and the tumor reduction percentage: ([post-TAE volume - pre-TAE volume]/pre-TAE volume) × 100. RESULTS: The median survival time was 419 days (95% confidence interval, 82-474). History of intra-abdominal hemorrhage (P = .03) and pre-TAE tumor volume/body weight (P = .009) were significantly associated with overall survival. The mean reduction percentage was -51% ± 40%. Pre-TAE tumor volume/body weight ratio (cm3 /kg; P = .02, correlation coefficient = 0.704) was significantly correlated with the volume reduction percentage. CONCLUSIONS: History of intra-abdominal hemorrhage and large pre-TAE tumor volume/body weight ratio could be predictive factors for adverse outcomes after TAE. Pre-TAE tumor volume/body weight ratio could be a predictive factor for therapeutic effect.

Microwave ablation for the control of bleeding from disintegrated mammary tumours in two dogs.

A 16-year-old intact female Miniature Dachshund (dog 1) and a 13-year-old intact female American Cocker Spaniel (dog 2) presented with a chief complaint of bleeding from a mammary gland tumour ulceration. Dog 1 was transferred to hospital from a local hospital in a haemorrhagic shock state with uncontrolled continuous bleeding. Thoracic radiographs revealed multiple nodular shadows suspected to be pulmonary metastasis. Dog 2 presented with intermittent bleeding from a mass lesion in the right fifth mammary gland. Due to high anaesthetic risk secondary to severe mitral valve insufficiency (ASA status III), the owner declined surgical excision of the tumour. Therefore, microwave ablation (MWA) under local anaesthesia was chosen in order to achieve adequate haemostasis. Both dogs received local anaesthesia around the bleeding mass lesion, and the disintegrated site was microwave-ablated; dog 1 underwent MWA after blood transfusion to improve the haemorrhagic shock. The ablation site was protected using a non-adhesive dressing. Scarring of the ulcerated site led to complete haemostasis in both cases. Dog 1 underwent tumorectomy on the 31st hospital day to prevent rebleeding; histopathology results were consistent with mammary adenocarcinoma with the ablation site covered by a capsule structure. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report describing the use of MWA to stop bleeding from mammary tumours in veterinary medicine. MWA is a feasible and potentially effective palliative treatment modality to stop bleeding from disintegrated mammary tumours in dogs under local anaesthesia.

Case Report: Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for the Initial Management of Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhage From a Hepatic Tumor in a Cat.

An 8-year-old Ragdoll cat was admitted to our hospital after its owner noticed sudden lethargy. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a large amount of blood in the abdominal cavity, and the cat was diagnosed as having hemorrhagic shock caused by the rupture of an intra-abdominal mass. Blood transfusion was performed on the 1st day of hospitalization. On the 2nd day, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed, and hemorrhage from a mass originating in the caudate lobe of the liver was noted. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed to stop the bleeding from the mass using Gelpart to embolize the feeding artery. The following day, fever and elevation of liver enzyme levels were observed, but these subsided within a few days. At discharge 5 days after TAE, no fluid was found in the peritoneal cavity, and no further intra-abdominal bleeding occurred. Sixty-six days after TAE, we were able to perform resection surgery with the cat in good condition. A partial response was observed on CT performed before surgery. Histopathology revealed cholangiocellular adenoma. The cat was doing well as of postoperative day 549. This case indicates that TAE may be effective for initial hemostasis and stabilization of conditions in animals with tumor-induced hemorrhage.