Stereotactic body radiation therapy as an alternative to adrenalectomy for the treatment of pheochromocytomas in 8 dogs.

The objective of this report is to describe the use and outcome of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for treatment of pheochromocytomas in 8 dogs. Pheochromocytomas are an uncommon but challenging tumour to manage. Adrenalectomy is the standard of care for treatment of pheochromocytomas in both animals and humans; however, unpredictable catecholamine secretion from the tumour and vascular and local invasion of the tumour and thrombi can pose life-threatening perioperative and anaesthetic risks. SBRT has been investigated as an alternative to adrenalectomy in human patients with pheochromocytomas. Eight dogs with clinical signs, an adrenal mass, and cytology and/or urine normetanephrine/creatinine ratios consistent with pheochromocytoma were treated with SBRT in lieu of adrenalectomy. Three dogs presented with acute hemoabdomen. Seven dogs had caval tumour invasion, 3 with extension into the right atrium. Following SBRT, all dogs had complete resolution of clinical signs and reduced urine normetanephrine/creatinine ratio and/or tumour size. No significant anaesthetic complications were encountered. Acute radiation toxicity was limited to grade I gastrointestinal signs in 3 dogs and resolved within 1-2 days of symptomatic therapy. Five of 8 dogs were alive at the time of follow up, with a median follow up time of 25.8 months. SBRT resulted in a favourable outcome and mitigated the life-threatening risks of adrenalectomy in these 8 dogs. SBRT may be a safe and effective alternative to adrenalectomy for pheochromocytomas in dogs with non-resectable tumours, or for owners averse to the risks of surgery.

Use of a tilapia skin xenograft for management of a large bite wound in a dog.

A 13-year-old neutered male miniature dachshund suffered ~30% total skin loss following an attack by another dog. After numerous failed attempts at wound management and closure, the wound was successfully healed by epithelialization using tilapia skin grafts. At each tilapia skin graft placement, the wound bed appeared pink, clean, and healthy with excellent progression of epithelialization at all edges. With use of the tilapia grafts, epithelialization occurred at a rate of 1.76 mm/day. As a result, the wound reached complete closure by epithelialization with no evidence of wound contracture in 102 days. Key clinical message: Tilapia skin grafts were successfully used for management of a large bite wound in a dog and may promote accelerated epithelialization in full thickness skin wounds.

Utilisation d'une xénogreffe de peau de tilapia pour la prise en charge d'une morsure importante chez un chien. Un teckel miniature mâle castré de 13 ans a subi une perte totale de peau d'environ 30 % à la suite d'une attaque par un autre chien. Après de nombreuses tentatives infructueuses de gestion et de fermeture de la plaie, la plaie a été cicatrisée avec succès par épithélialisation à l'aide de greffes de peau de tilapia. À chaque placement de greffe de peau de tilapia, le lit de la plaie apparaissait rose, propre et sain avec une excellente progression de l'épithélialisation sur tous les bords. Avec l'utilisation des greffes de tilapia, l'épithélialisation s'est produite à un taux de 1,76 mm/jour. En conséquence, la plaie a atteint une fermeture complète par épithélialisation sans signe de contracture de la plaie en 102 jours.Message clinique clé :Les greffes de peau de tilapia ont été utilisées avec succès pour la gestion d'une grande plaie de morsure chez un chien et peuvent favoriser une épithélialisation accélérée dans les plaies cutanées de pleine épaisseur.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).