Translocation of the conus medullaris during dynamic lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging in dogs

OBJECTIVE To investigate the change in the lumbosacral angle (Delta LSA) and conus medullaris (CM) displacement in healthy dogs undergoing dynamic MRI with changes in the posture of their pelvic limbs from neutral posture to flexion or extension posture and to evaluate for potential correlation between Delta LSA and CM displacement. ANIMALS 9 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Dogs underwent dynamic MRI with their pelvic limbs positioned in neutral, flexion, and extension postures. From T2-weighted sagittal midline plane MRI images, 2 observers measured the lumbosacral angle and CM location in duplicate for each posture for each dog. Intra- and interobserver agreement was assessed, and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rho) was used to assess for potential correlation between Delta LSA and CM displacement for changes in pelvic limb posture from neutral to flexion or extension. RESULTS Overall, the mean Delta LSA and CM displacement for changes in posture were 23 degrees and 9.09 mm (caudal displacement) for the change from neutral to flexion posture, 8.4 degrees and -2.5 mm (cranial displacement) for the change from neutral to extension posture, and 32.2 degrees and 11.64 mm (caudal displacement) for the change from extension to flexion posture. The Delta LSA strongly correlated (p = 0.705: 95% CI, 0.434 to 0.859) with displacement of the CM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The use of dynamic MR1, compared with conventional MRI, will better help to characterize clinically normal and abnormal features of the lumbosacral region of the vertebral column and associated spinal cord during postural changes. Further, when limited translocation of the CM is evident on dynamic MRI, veterinarians should suspect underlying lumbosacral pathophysiologic processes or anatomic abnormalities.Y

Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum following orbital blowout pathological fracture in a cat with nasal lymphoma: a case report

Abstract Background Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum are rare complications associated with orbital blowout pathological fracture. Case presentation A 7-year old, castrated male Abbysinian cat presented with anorexia, lethargy, nausea, eyelid swelling, nasal discharge, and sneezing. Based on the clinical and diagnostic work-up, the cat was diagnosed with T cell high-grade nasal lymphoma associated with orbital pathological fracture due to the tumour invasion. After chemotherapy, the cat showed massive subcutaneous emphysema from frontal region to abdomen and pneumomediastinum due to orbital blowout pathological fracture. As the nasal mass decreased in volume; the air had moved from the maxillary sinus to the subcutaneous region and the mediastinum through fascial planes in the head and neck region. Conclusions This is a first case report of a massive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum due to an orbital blowout pathological fracture following chemotherapy in feline nasal lymphoma in veterinary medicine

Retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety of oral paclitaxel for treatment of various cancers in dogs (2017-2021)

Background: In humans, several safety evaluations have shown minimal adverse events with oral paclitaxel; however, its therapeutic efficacy and safety has not been well established in dogs with various cancers. Objectives: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral paclitaxel in dogs with various cancers. Methods: Twenty-one dogs diagnosed with various cancers were administered several doses of oral paclitaxel three times a month (group 1) or six times a month (group 2). Results: The overall response rate was 6.25% (6.25%, complete response; 56.25%, stable disease; 37.5%, progressive disease) in dogs for which the treatment response could be evaluated. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 74 and 60.5 days, respectively. Regardless of the administration group, differences in OS and PFS of the two groups did not reach statistical significance. Most dogs tolerated the treatment regimen well, and although minor adverse events were observed in some dogs, they recovered after temporary drug discontinuation, dose reduction or symptomatic treatment. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of adverse events between the two groups. Conclusions: Based on the observed responses in certain types of cancers and the minimal adverse events, the study findings supported the efficacy and safety of oral paclitaxel administration in dogs. Thus, oral paclitaxel could play a role in the management of cancer in dogs.N