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Performing a mitosis count (MC) is the diagnostic task of histologically grading canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma (cSTS). However, mitosis count is subject to inter- and intra-observer variability. Deep learning models can offer a standardisation in the process of MC used to histologically grade canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Subsequently, the focus of this study was mitosis detection in canine Perivascular Wall Tumours (cPWTs). Generating mitosis annotations is a long and arduous process open to inter-observer variability. Therefore, by keeping pathologists in the loop, a two-step annotation process was performed where a pre-trained Faster R-CNN model was trained on initial annotations provided by veterinary pathologists. The pathologists reviewed the output false positive mitosis candidates and determined whether these were overlooked candidates, thus updating the dataset. Faster R-CNN was then trained on this updated dataset. An optimal decision threshold was applied to maximise the F1-score predetermined using the validation set and produced our best F1-score of 0.75, which is competitive with the state of the art in the canine mitosis domain.

Background: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are a group of neoplasms originating from Schwann cells or pluripotent cell of the neural crest. Therapeutic options and prognosis are influenced by their degree of malignancy and location., Hypothesis/objectives: Identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features predictive of PNST histologic grade., Animals: Forty-four dogs with histopathological diagnosis of spinal PNSTs and previous MRI investigation., Methods: A multicenter retrospective study including cases with (a) histopathologic diagnosis of PNST and (b) MRI studies available for review. Histologic slides were reviewed and graded by a board-certified pathologist according to a modified French system (FNCLCC) for grading soft tissue sarcomas. The MRI studies were reviewed by 2 board-certified radiologists blinded to the grade of the tumor and the final decision on the imaging characteristics was reached by consensus. Relationships between tumor grade and histological and MRI findings were assessed using statistical analysis., Results: Forty-four cases met inclusion criteria; 16 patients were PNSTs Grade 1 (low-grade), 19 were PNSTs Grade 2 (medium-grade), and 9 were PNSTs Grade 3 (high-grade). Large volume (P = .03) and severe peripheral contrast enhancement (P = .04) were significantly associated with high tumor grade. Degree of muscle atrophy, heterogeneous signal and tumor growth into the vertebral canal were not associated with grade., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Grade of malignancy was difficult to identify based on diagnostic imaging alone. However, some MRI features were predictive of high-grade PNSTs including tumor size and peripheral contrast enhancement., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

The definitive diagnosis of canine soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) is based on histological assessment of formalin-fixed tissues. Assessment of parameters, such as degree of differentiation, necrosis score and mitotic score, give rise to a final tumour grade, which is important in determining prognosis and subsequent treatment modalities. However, grading discrepancies are reported to occur in human and canine STSs, which can result in complications regarding treatment plans. The introduction of digital pathology has the potential to help improve STS grading via automated determination of the presence and extent of necrosis. The detected necrotic regions can be factored in the grading scheme or excluded before analysing the remaining tissue. Here we describe a method to detect tumour necrosis in histopathological whole-slide images (WSIs) of STSs using machine learning. Annotated areas of necrosis were extracted from WSIs and the patches containing necrotic tissue fed into a pre-trained DenseNet161 convolutional neural network (CNN) for training, testing and validation. The proposed CNN architecture reported favourable results, with an overall validation accuracy of 92.7% for necrosis detection which represents the number of correctly classified data instances over the total number of data instances. The proposed method, when vigorously validated represents a promising tool to assist pathologists in evaluating necrosis in canine STS tumours, by increasing efficiency, accuracy and reducing inter-rater variation.

Objective: To determine the ability of a cell salvage device to recover canine erythrocytes by direct aspiration of diluted packed red blood cells (pRBC) and saline rinse from blood-soaked surgical swabs., Study Design: Experimental study., Sample Population: Twelve recently expired units of canine pRBC., Methods: pRBC units donated from a pet blood bank (after quality analysis) were diluted with anticoagulant, divided into two equal aliquots, and subsequently harvested by direct suction (Su), or soaked into swabs, saline-rinsed and suctioned (Sw). The volume of product, manual packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell mass (rbcM) were measured and compared before and after salvaging. The rbcM recovery was recorded as percentage ([rbcM post salvage]/[rbcM presalvage]x100). Statistical analysis of all measured values was performed (significance p < .05)., Results: No difference was detected between pre- and post-salvage PCV or mean rise of PCV for either group. The volume of salvaged blood was 143 ml (SD ± 2.89 ml; Su) and 139.83 ml (SD ± 3.30 ml; Sw), p < .001. The average rbcM recovered was 88.43% (Su) and 84.74%. (Sw) averaged 84.74% (p = .015). Blood type and order of processing did not influence recovery., Conclusion: The tested cell saver device reliably salvages canine blood in this ex vivo setting. Cell salvage via direct suction produces higher volumes of salvaged blood than rinsing blood-soaked swabs and salvaging the flush., Clinical Significance: Washing blood-saturated surgical swabs results in a high harvest of red blood cells. The authors recommend it as an adjunct to direct suction to maximize erythrocyte recovery., (© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Objective: To compare erythrocyte recovery by a cell salvage device between swab-washing by manual agitation or filtration., Sample: 12 recently expired units of canine packed RBCs., Procedure: The packed RBC units underwent quality analysis before donation from a pet blood bank. Each unit was volume-expanded with anticoagulant and subsequently divided into 2 equal aliquots used to soak surgical swabs before washing. Two different swab-washing techniques were evaluated-standard swab-washing-manual agitation (SW-MA) and swab-washing-filtration (SW-F)-with a novel prototype device. The resulting bloody fluid was processed using the Cell Saver Elite Autotransfusion System (Haemonetics). The volume, manual PCV, CBC, and RBC mass, calculated as the product of the volume and PCV, were measured before and after salvaging. Last, the RBC mass recovery was recorded as a percentage., Results: The RBC mass recovered from SW-MA and SW-F averaged 85.73% and 83.99%, respectively. There was no significant difference in RBC recovery between the 2 methods (P = .52)., Clinical Relevance: SW-MA and SW-F recovered a similar quantity of RBCs from blood-soaked swabs in an ex vivo setting.

Necrosis seen in histopathology Whole Slide Images is a major criterion that contributes towards scoring tumour grade which then determines treatment options. However conventional manual assessment suffers from inter-operator reproducibility impacting grading precision. To address this, automatic necrosis detection using AI may be used to assess necrosis for final scoring that contributes towards the final clinical grade. Using deep learning AI, we describe a novel approach for automating necrosis detection in Whole Slide Images, tested on a canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma (cSTS) data set consisting of canine Perivascular Wall Tumours (cPWTs). A patch-based deep learning approach was developed where different variations of training a DenseNet-161 Convolutional Neural Network architecture were investigated as well as a stacking ensemble. An optimised DenseNet-161 with post-processing produced a hold-out test F1-score of 0.708 demonstrating state-of-the-art performance. This represents a novel first-time automated necrosis detection method in the cSTS domain as well specifically in detecting necrosis in cPWTs demonstrating a significant step forward in reproducible and reliable necrosis assessment for improving the precision of tumour grading., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: There is a paucity of veterinary literature on the safety or outcome of zoledronic acid (ZA) use in dogs for either bone pain or hypercalcemia., Hypothesis/objectives: The primary aim was to report the adverse events in dogs receiving intravenous administration of ZA., Animals: Ninety-five dogs with ZA use., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed; all dogs that received at least 1 dose of ZA and had a serum biochemistry profile performed before and after treatment were reviewed. Diagnosis, indication for treatment, adverse events and survival times were recorded., Results: Ninety-five dogs met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one (33%) received multiple intravenous infusions of ZA (range, 2-7), making a total of 166 administrations in all dogs. The dose range was 0.13 to 0.32 mg/kg, given at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Thirteen adverse events were recorded in 10 dogs: azotemia (n = 8), vomiting (n = 2), pancreatitis (n = 1), cutaneous ulceration (n = 1), and diarrhea (n = 1). Zoledronic acid could not be confirmed as the cause of azotemia in any case. The change in serum creatinine concentration from dose to dose was not related to the total dose received (P = .46). Five dogs (5%) changed Veterinary Comparative Oncology Group Common Terminology Criteria (VCOG-CTAE) renal/genitourinary grade after administration of ZA; their total dose 0.4 mg/kg (range, 0.26-0.66) was not significantly different to the group which did not change VCOG-CTAE renal/genitourinary grade 0.35 mg/kg (range, 0.2-1.50; P = .93)., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Multiple doses of ZA were well tolerated in dogs within this study. A small number of dogs developed progressive azotemia which was not associated with cumulative dose., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Case Description: A 7-year-old sexually intact female rabbit was admitted to the hospital because of a 6-month history of chronic right pelvic limb lameness., Clinical Findings: Clinical examination revealed a prominent right pelvic limb lameness and signs of pain on manipulation of the right hip joint, with a focal, well-defined soft tissue mass palpable in the right pelvic area. Pelvic radiography revealed a lytic hip joint lesion and CT detailed an expansile lesion within the proximal portion of the femur with an appearance consistent with a soft tissue mass. Histologic evaluation of incisional biopsy samples of the soft tissue mass revealed a poorly differentiated sarcoma., Treatment and Outcome: A hemipelvectomy was performed, and histologic evaluation of the soft tissue mass confirmed the diagnosis, with tumor-free margins achieved. The patient recovered well from surgery and had good mobility. The patient survived 21 months after surgery and died of a non-cancer-related disease. Anatomic dissection was described in a cadaver rabbit to aid future surgeries., Clinical Relevance: To the authors' knowledge, this was the first report of a hemipelvectomy performed in a rabbit. Hemipelvectomy is more routinely performed in canine and feline patients, but with the right candidate and owner commitment to aftercare, it may be safely and successfully performed in rabbits.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of pulmonary nodules suggestive of metastasis at the time of initial presentation in dogs with cutaneous or subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) and no previous related thoracic diagnostic imaging., Animals: 146 client-owned dogs with a cutaneous or subcutaneous STS., Procedures: Medical records were retrospectively searched to identify dogs with STSs that underwent initial thoracic diagnostic imaging when presented for referral examination between September 2014 and March 2018. Data collected included patient and tumor characteristics. Results were evaluated for dogs grouped on the basis of variables of interest (eg, STS grade, duration, or history)., Results: Initial thoracic imaging was performed with CT (131/146 [89.7%]) or radiography (15 [10.3%]). Although the presence or absence of pulmonary nodules suggestive of metastasis on thoracic imaging was uncertain in 9 dogs, it was certain in the remaining 137 dogs, with nodules present in 16 (11.7%) dogs (5/77 [6%] with grade 1 STSs, 2/36 [6%] with grade 2 STSs, and 9/24 [38%] with grade 3 STSs). The odds of such pulmonary nodules being present on initial examination were higher (OR, 10.8 and 3.14, respectively) for dogs with grade 3 STSs (vs grade 1 or 2 STSs) and for dogs with an STS duration > 3 months (versus ≤ 3 months)., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Results indicated that pulmonary staging was a low-yield diagnostic procedure for dogs with grade 1 or 2 cutaneous or subcutaneous STSs, especially when tumors had been present for ≤ 3 months.

Gene expression profiling has revealed molecular heterogeneity of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in both humans and dogs. Two DLBCL subtypes based on cell of origin are generally recognized, germinal center B (GCB)-like and activated B cell (ABC)-like. A pilot study to characterize the transcriptomic phenotype of 11 dogs with multicentric BCL yielded two molecular subtypes distinguished on the basis of genes important in oxidative phosphorylation. We propose a metabolic classification of canine BCL that transcends cell of origin and shows parallels to a similar molecular phenotype in human DLBCL. We thus confirm the validity of this classification scheme across widely divergent mammalian taxa and add to the growing body of literature suggesting cellular and molecular similarities between human and canine non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Our data support a One Health approach to the study of DLBCL, including the advancement of novel therapies of relevance to both canine and human health., (Copyright © 2020 Wu, Chang, Polton, Stell, Szladovits, Macfarlane, Peters, Priestnall, Bacon, Kow, Stewart, Sharma, Goulart, Gribben, Xia and Garden.)

Objective: To report outcomes after radical mandibulectomy in cats., Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective study., Animals: Eight cats were included., Methods: Medical records were searched for cats with confirmed oral neoplasia treated with radical mandibulectomy. Data collected included demographics, surgical procedure, histopathological diagnosis, postoperative management, and outcomes., Results: Ages ranged from 8 to 17 years. All cats had 75% to 90% of the mandible removed and feeding tubes placed. Seven cats had squamous cell carcinoma, and one cat had a giant cell tumor. Six cats ate on their own postoperatively. Three cats had local recurrence and tumor-related died at 136 and 291 days. Six cats had no recurrence, with survival times of 156, 465, 608, and 1023 days, and two cats were still alive at 316 and 461 days after surgery. The three long-term survivors died of causes unrelated to oral neoplasia. One cat died at 156 days due to aspiration of food material. The overall estimated mean survival time was 712 days., Conclusion: After radical mandibulectomy, independent food intake was achieved in 6 of eight cats, and four cats lived longer than one year., Clinical Significance: Radical mandibulectomy should be considered for the treatment of extensive oral neoplasia in cats. Successful long-term outcomes are possible with aggressive supportive care perioperatively., (© 2019 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the electron microscope has progressed remarkably in the last five years. Advances in monochromator and spectrometer design have improved the energy resolution attainable in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) to 4.2 meV, and new applications of ultrahigh energy resolution EELS have not lagged behind. They include vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope, a field that did not exist 5 years ago but has now grown very substantially. Notable examples include vibrational mapping with about 1 nm spatial resolution, analyzing the momentum dependence of vibrational states in very small volumes, determining the local temperature of the sample from the ratio of energy gains to energy losses, detecting hydrogen and analyzing its bonding, probing radiation-sensitive materials with minimized damage by aloof spectroscopy and leap-frog scanning, and identifying biological molecules with different isotopic substitutions. We review the instrumentation advances, provide a summary of key applications, and chart likely future directions., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

OBJECTIVE To describe the signalment, clinical signs, biological behavior, and outcome for cats with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA) that underwent surgical excision. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 30 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES Databases of 13 Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology member-affiliated institutions were searched for records of cats with a histologic diagnosis of AGASACA that underwent tumor excision. For each cat, information regarding signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic test results, treatment, and outcome was extracted from the medical record. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine median time to local recurrence (TLR), disease-free interval (DFI), and survival time. Cox regression was used to identify factors associated with TLR, DFI, and survival time. RESULTS Perineal ulceration or discharge was the most common clinical sign in affected cats. Eleven cats developed local recurrence at a median of 96 days after AGASACA excision. Incomplete tumor margins and a high nuclear pleomorphic score were risk factors for local recurrence. Nuclear pleomorphic score was negatively associated with DFI. Local recurrence and a high nuclear pleomorphic score were risk factors for death. Median DFI and survival time were 234 and 260 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that, in cats, perineal ulceration or discharge should raise suspicion of AGASACA and prompt rectal and anal sac examinations. Local recurrence was the most common life-limiting event in cats that underwent surgery for treatment of AGASACA, suggesting that wide margins should be obtained whenever possible during AGASACA excision. Efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for treatment of cats with AGASACA requires further investigation. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019;254:716-722).

Objective: To define and compare clinical characteristics of canine primary appendicular hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and telangiectatic osteosarcoma (tOSA), including signalment, presentation, response to treatment, and prognosis., Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective study., Animals: Seventy dogs with primary appendicular HSA or tOSA., Methods: Patient data were obtained from institutions' medical records. Immunohistochemistry was applied to archived tissues to establish tumor type. Patient characteristics, treatment responses, and outcomes were described and compared by tumor type., Results: Forty-one HSA and 29 tOSA were identified. Dogs with HSA were more likely than dogs with tOSA to be male and have hind limb tumors; 78% of HSA occurred in hind limbs, particularly the tibia. Dogs with tOSA weighed a median of 9.9 kg (95% CI 4.6-15.3) more than dogs with HSA. Most dogs received antineoplastic treatment, predominantly amputation with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall survival with local treatment and chemotherapy was 299 days (95% CI 123-750) for HSA and 213 days (95% CI 77-310) for tOSA. Younger age and more aggressive treatment were associated with longer survival in dogs with HSA but not tOSA. One-year survival rates did not differ between dogs with HSA (28%) and those with tOSA (7%)., Conclusion: Distinct clinical features were identified between HSA and tOSA in this population. Both tumors were aggressive, with a high incidence of pulmonary metastases. However, local treatment combined with chemotherapy led to an average survival 7 months for tOSA and 10 months for HSA., Clinical Significance: HSA should be considered as a differential in dogs with aggressive lytic bone lesions, particularly medium-sized dogs with tibial lesions. HSA has a unique clinical presentation but similar therapeutic response and outcome to OSA. Amputation and chemotherapy appear to prolong survival in some dogs with HSA and tOSA., (© 2018 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) of bone and telangiectatic osteosarcoma (tOSA) can appear similar histologically, but differ in histogenesis (malignant endothelial cells versus osteoblasts), and may warrant different treatments. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for endothelial cell marker factor VIII-related antigen/von Willebrand factor (FVIII-RAg/vWF) is a well-documented ancillary test to confirm HSA diagnoses in soft tissues, but its use in osseous HSA is rarely described. Archived samples of 54 primary appendicular bone tumours previously diagnosed as HSA or tOSA were evaluated using combination routine histopathology (RHP) and IHC. Approximately 20% of tumours were reclassified on the basis of FVIII-RAg/vWF immunoreactivity, typically from an original diagnosis of tOSA to a reclassified diagnosis of HSA. No sample with tumour osteoid clearly identified on RHP was immunopositive for FVIII-RAg/vWF. RHP alone was specific but not sensitive for diagnosis of HSA, compared with combination RHP and IHC. Routine histopathological evaluation in combination with FVIII-RAg/vWF IHC can help differentiate canine primary appendicular HSA from tOSA., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To document the outcome of dogs with appendicular primary bone tumors treated with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and concurrent stabilization., Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective case series., Animals: Eighteen dogs with presumptive or definitive diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma., Methods: Medical records of dogs with appendicular primary bone tumors treated with SRT and stabilization were reviewed for signalment, preoperative staging and diagnostics, radiation dose, stabilization method, and outcome., Results: The distal radius was affected in 13/18 cases. Osteosarcoma or sarcoma was confirmed cytologically or histologically in 15/18 cases. Seven dogs were diagnosed with a pathological fracture at the time of treatment, and 11 were considered at high risk for pathological fracture. Dogs received a single dose (n = 5) or 3 doses (n = 13) of SRT. Surgical stabilization was performed under the same anesthetic event as the final dose of SRT in 10 dogs. Stabilization was achieved with a bone plate (n = 15) or interlocking nail (n = 3). Seventeen dogs received adjuvant chemotherapy. Complications occurred in 16/17 dogs, 15/17 of those being considered major complications. Four dogs experienced more than one complication. Infection was the most common complication, diagnosed in 15/17 cases, and considered as a major complication in 13/15 cases. Postoperative fracture was recorded as a major complication in 3 cases. Nine dogs were amputated at a median of 152 days. The median survival time was 344 days., Conclusion: Treatment of bone tumors with SRT and concurrent stabilization was associated with a prohibitively high complication rate in dogs. Alternative methods for limb salvage should be considered for dogs at risk for pathologic fracture., (© 2017 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

CASE DESCRIPTION 4 dogs were examined because of pleural effusion and ventricular tachycardia, coughing and supraventricular tachycardia, appendicular osteosarcoma, and syncopal episodes. CLINICAL FINDINGS In all 4 dogs, a heart base tumor was identified by means of thoracic CT. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME In all 4 dogs, the heart base tumors were treated by means of stereotactic body radiation therapy. Dogs were anesthetized, and neuromuscular blockade was achieved with atracurium or vecuronium. A circle rebreathing system with 15 m (50 feet) of anesthetic tubing coursing through the vault wall was used to connect the patient to the anesthesia machine, which was located in the control room. After a brief period of hyperventilation, an inspiratory breath was held at 20 cm H 2 O for the duration of beam delivery. Each beam delivery lasted between 30 and 100 seconds. Immediately following the breath hold, assisted ventilation was resumed. Mean treatment delivery time for each patient was 26 minutes; mean total anesthesia time was 89 minutes. All patients recovered without complications. There was no evidence of hemoglobin desaturation or hypercapnia during the anesthetic procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The technique allowed for control of the respiration cycle from outside the radiation vault and a short overall treatment time. No adverse effects were encountered. This procedure should be considered when delivering radiation to structures within the thoracic cavity.

Objective: To evaluate whole body computed tomography (CT) for staging canine appendicular osteosarcoma., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Animals: Client-owned dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma (n=39)., Methods: Medical records for client-owned dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma from August 2008 to July 2014 were reviewed. Dogs were included if they had a confirmed diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma and were staged using whole body CT. Data collected included signalment, body weight, primary tumor location, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, findings on 3-view thoracic radiographs, cytologic or histologic results, and findings on CT., Results: Thirty-nine dogs (median age 8.5 years; median body weight 37 kg) had osteosarcoma of the distal radius (n=17), proximal humerus (11) and other sites. Serum ALP activity was elevated in 14 dogs. Bone metastasis was not detected in any dog on whole body CT. Pulmonary metastasis was considered definitive on CT based on board certified radiologist assessment in 2/39 dogs (5%). Two additional dogs (2/39, 5%) had soft tissue masses diagnosed on CT, consistent with concurrent, non-metastatic malignancies., Conclusion: Bone metastases were not identified in any dog with whole body CT. Thoracic and abdominal CT detected lung lesions and concurrent neoplasia in dogs with primary appendicular osteosarcoma. Whole body CT may be a useful adjunct to other screening tests for disseminated malignancy., (© 2016 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Yunnan Baiyao is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been utilized for its anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, wound healing and pain relieving properties in people. It has been utilized in the veterinary profession to control bleeding in dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and has been anecdotally reported to prolong survival times in dogs with this neoplasm. This study evaluated the in vitro activity of Yunnan Baiyao against three canine HSA cell lines after treatment with increasing concentrations of Yunnan Baiyao (50, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 µg mL(-1) ) at 24, 48 and 72 h. Mean half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) at 72 h for DEN, Fitz, SB was 369.9, 275.9 and 325.3 µg mL(-1) , respectively. Caspase-3/7 activity increased in correlation with the IC50 in each cell line which was confirmed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL, APO-BRDU Kit; BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA, USA) assay. VEGF in cell supernatant was also quantified. Overall, the study found that Yunnan Baiyao causes dose and time dependent HSA cell death through initiation of caspase-mediated apoptosis, which supports future studies involving Yunnan Baiyao., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To report perioperative care, postoperative management, and long-term outcomes in dogs undergoing bilateral adrenalectomy., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Animals: Dogs undergoing bilateral adrenalectomy from 2008 to 2013 (n=9)., Methods: Data retrieved from the record, when available, included signalment, preoperative clinical signs, laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, blood pressure measurement, preoperative treatment for adrenal gland disease, intraoperative procedures, treatments and complications, postoperative treatment and diagnostics during hospitalization, diagnostics and management following discharge, histopathologic diagnosis, and survival., Results: Seven dogs underwent concurrent bilateral adrenalectomy and 2 dogs had staged adrenalectomy. Surgery was uncomplicated in most cases. All dogs received IV dexamethasone SP intraoperatively. Eight dogs received intramuscular desoxycorticosterone pivalate intraoperatively. Histopathology revealed adrenocortical adenoma (7 dogs), adrenocortical carcinoma (4), pheochromocytoma (6), and adrenocortical atrophy (1). One dog died perioperatively and the remainder died due to unrelated causes. Postoperative management of hypoadrenocorticism included oral prednisone and intramuscular desoxycorticosterone pivalate (6 dogs), oral prednisone and fludrocortisone (1), and oral fludrocortisone alone (1). The median survival time in dogs surviving to hospital discharge was 525 days (range 67-966 days). No dogs developed metastatic disease or died due to signs of hypoadrenocorticism., Conclusion: Based on the cases reported here, the perioperative mortality in dogs undergoing bilateral adrenalectomy may be lower than previously reported. Management of postoperative hypoadrenocorticism is both achievable and straightforward., (© Copyright 2016 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

The objective of this observational, descriptive, retrospective study was to report CT characteristics associated with fractures following stereotactic radiosurgery in canine patients with appendicular osteosarcoma. Medical records (1999 and 2012) of dogs that had a diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma and undergone stereotactic radiosurgery were reviewed. Dogs were included in the study if they had undergone stereotactic radiosurgery for an aggressive bone lesion with follow-up information regarding fracture status, toxicity, and date and cause of death. Computed tomography details, staging, chemotherapy, toxicity, fracture status and survival data were recorded. Overall median survival time (MST) and fracture rates of treated dogs were calculated. CT characteristics were evaluated for association with time to fracture. Forty-six dogs met inclusion criteria. The median overall survival time was 9.7 months (95% CI: 6.9-14.3 months). The fracture-free rates at 3, 6, and 9 months were 73%, 44%, and 38% (95% CI: 60-86%, 29-60%, and 22-54%), respectively. The region of bone affected was significantly associated with time to fracture. The median time to fracture was 4.2 months in dogs with subchondral bone involvement and 16.3 months in dogs without subchondral bone involvement (P-value = 0.027, log-rank test). Acute and late skin effects were present in 58% and 16% of patients, respectively. Findings demonstrated a need for improved patient selection for this procedure, which can be aided by CT-based prognostic factors to predict the likelihood of fracture., (© 2016 American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

Objective: To describe outcomes for small-breed dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma., Design: Multi-institutional retrospective case series., Animals: 51 small-breed dogs., Procedures: Records from participating Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology members were searched for dogs that weighed ≤ 15 kg (33 lb) with a histologic diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine median survival times (MSTs), and Cox regression was performed to identify variables associated with survival time., Results: Tumors were most commonly located on the humerus (n = 15) and femur (14). Of the 51 study dogs, 9 were treated nonsurgically, 16 underwent amputation of the affected limb only, and 26 underwent curative-intent treatment, with MSTs of 112, 257, and 415 days, respectively. The MST did not differ significantly between dogs in the amputation-only and curative-intent groups. For dogs in the nonsurgical group, MST decreased significantly as the tumor histologic score increased. For dogs in the amputation-only group, MST decreased as body weight increased., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: For the small-breed dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma of the present study, tumor histologic grade and mitotic index were subjectively lower and MST following amputation of the affected limb without adjuvant chemotherapy was longer, compared with those for similarly affected larger dogs. Results indicated no significant advantage in MST for dogs that underwent curative-intent treatment versus dogs that underwent amputation only, and further investigation of the importance of adjuvant chemotherapy is warranted.

A 12-year-old dachshund dog was presented for persistent hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism despite bilateral parathyroidectomy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head, neck, and cranial mediastinum identified an increased number of cranial mediastinal lymph nodes with heterogeneous signal intensity. Hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism resolved after surgery to remove multiple cranial mediastinal lymph nodes, one of which contained presumed metastatic parathyroid tissue.

Objective: To evaluate clinical outcome of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and subsequent internal fixation of a pathologic fracture., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Animals: Dogs with spontaneous-occurring appendicular OSA (n = 6)., Methods: Medical records (May 2002-January 2008) of dogs that had SRS for appendicular OSA were reviewed. Dogs were included if they had a pathologic fracture either before or after SRS and were treated with internal fixation. Signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic imaging findings, biopsy results, surgical complications, number of surgeries, adjuvant therapy, development of metastatic disease and cause of death were recorded., Results: Six dogs met the inclusion criteria. Two dogs had a pathologic fracture at admission and 4 dogs developed a fracture after SRS with a mean ± SD time to fracture development of 6.25 ± 1.65 months. The first 3 fractures were repaired using an open approach and the latter three using minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO). Infection occurred in 5 dogs and implant failure in 3. Limb function was subjectively assessed as good in all dogs when the implants were stable and infections were subclinical. Survival times ranged from 364-897 days; 1 dog was lost to follow-up., Conclusions: Fracture repair using internal fixation should be considered a viable limb-sparing alternative for pathologic fractures that have been treated with SRS., (© Copyright 2014 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Objective: To report clinical findings, perioperative complications and long-term outcome in dogs and cats that had hemipelvectomy surgery for treatment of neoplasia., Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective case series., Animals: Dogs (n = 84) and cats (16)., Methods: Medical records (January 2000 to December 2009) of dogs and cats that had hemipelvectomy at participating institutions were reviewed. Postoperative progress and current status of the patient at the time of the study was determined by either medical record review, or via telephone contact with the referring veterinarian or owner., Results: Complications were infrequent and usually minor. Hemorrhage was the main intraoperative complication; 2 dogs required blood transfusion. One dog developed an incisional hernia. In dogs, hemangiosarcoma had the worst prognosis with a median survival time (MST) of 179 days. MST for chondrosarcoma (1232 days), osteosarcoma (533 days), and soft tissue sarcoma (373 days) were not statistically different. Median disease-free interval (DFI) for local recurrence of all tumor types was 257 days. Cats had 75% survival at 1 year, which was significantly longer than dogs., Conclusions: Survival times for most tumor types can be good, but surgical margins should be carefully evaluated to ensure complete tumor removal. Adjuvant therapies may be advisable particularly for dogs to reduce rates of local recurrence or distant metastasis., (© Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

A Pekingese dog was presented for evaluation of head trauma with ventral head and neck swelling, puncture wounds, palpable mandibular fractures, and loss of menace, severe miosis, and loss of palpebral reflex of the right eye. Computed tomography confirmed multiple mandibular and zygomatic fractures, a right ear canal avulsion, and a complete right tympanic bulla fracture with ventral displacement. The tympanic bulla fracture was managed conservatively. Topical lubrication and antibiotic ointment was prescribed for the right eye. A subtotal hemimandibulectomy was performed to address the mandibular fractures. A temporary oesophagostomy feeding tube was placed. No short-term complications developed as a result of the fractured bulla and avulsed ear canal being left in situ, and no complications were reported 18 months after the injury. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of a traumatic tympanic bulla fracture in the dog., (© 2013 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the accuracy of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and abdominal ultrasonography in detecting and characterizing portosystemic shunts (PSS) in dogs. Medical records of 76 dogs that underwent CTA and/or abdominal ultrasonography suspected to have PSS were reviewed. Presence or absence, and characterization of PSS (when present) on CTA were reviewed by a board-certified veterinary radiologist that was blinded to the clinical findings. The abdominal ultrasonography findings were reviewed from the medical records. Visualization and description of the origin and insertion of PSS on CTA and abdominal ultrasonography were related with laboratory, surgical, or mesenteric portographic confirmation of the presence or absence of PSS. The sensitivity for detection of PSS with CTA (96%) was significantly higher than abdominal ultrasonography (68%; P < 0.001). The specificities for CTA and abdominal ultrasonography were 89% and 84%, respectively (P = 0.727). Computed tomographic angiography detected the correct origin in 15 of 16 dogs and correct insertion in 15 of 16 dogs with congenital PSS. Abdominal ultrasonography detected the correct origin in 24 of 30 dogs and correct insertion in 20 of 33 dogs with congenital PSS. Multiple acquired PSS were seen in four of five dogs and in one of six dogs on CTA and abdominal ultrasonography, respectively. Computed tomographic angiography was 5.5 times more likely to correctly ascertain the presence or absence of PSS when compared to abdominal ultrasonography (P = 0.02). Findings indicated that CTA is a noninvasive diagnostic modality that is superior to abdominal ultrasonography for the detection and characterization of PSS in dogs., (© 2013 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.)

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs and the guarded prognosis highlights the necessity to find new treatments. Masitinib mesylate is a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor that predominantly targets c-Kit and PDGFR-α/β. This study evaluated the in-vitro activity of masitinib against three canine OSA cell lines after treatment with increasing concentrations of masitinib (0.1-50 µmol/l) at 24, 48, and 72 h. The IC50 values at 72 h for the three OSA cell lines (POS, HMPOS, and COS31) were determined to be 11.04, 7.09, and 9.74 µmol/l, respectively. In addition, increases in caspase-3/7 activity and transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells indicated apoptotic cell death. Because increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor are found in dogs with OSA, vascular endothelial growth factor in the supernatant was quantified. Overall, the study found that masitinib causes dose-time dependent OSA cell death in vitro through initiation of caspase-mediated apoptosis, which supports future OSA clinical trials.

A 2 yr old dog presented for dysphagia and coughing secondary to a 4 cm × 4 cm turgid subepiglottic mass. Cervical radiographs, an esophagram, and computed tomography confirmed the presence of a cystic mass that was not intimately associated with any surrounding structures. An incisional biopsy confirmed the cystic nature of the mass and helped to rule out a malignancy. A marginal surgical excision was performed via a ventral approach. Histopathology of the mass was consistent with a thyroglossal duct cyst. This is the first report of a thyroglossal duct cyst in this location in a dog. There was no recurrence of clinical signs 14 mo after surgery.

Case Description: A 4-year-old spayed female Boxer was evaluated for a cutaneous mass located on the dorsum. The mass had been present for 6 weeks and was increasing in size., Clinical Findings: A mass of approximately 10 cm in diameter was detected on the dorsum cranial to the right ilial wing. Histologic examination of a tissue sample from the mass led to the diagnosis of cutaneous pythiosis. Computed tomography of the abdomen and the mass were performed and revealed a contrast-enhancing soft tissue mass of the dorsum and enlarged intra-abdominal lymph nodes., Treatment and Outcome: The dog underwent surgical excision of the cutaneous mass, including 5-cm skin margins and deep margins of 2 fascial planes. The mass was completely excised on the basis of results of histologic examination of surgical margins. The dog received itraconazole and terbinafine by mouth for 3 months following surgery. Recheck examination at 20 months postoperatively showed no signs of recurrence of pythiosis at the surgical site., Clinical Relevance: Aggressive surgical excision in combination with medical treatment resulted in a favorable long-term (> 1 year) outcome in this dog. Thorough workup including diagnostic imaging and lymph node evaluation is recommended. If surgery is to be performed, skin margins of 5 cm and deep margins of 2 fascial planes are recommended.

A 9 yr old spayed female cocker spaniel presented for evaluation of an invasive maxillary squamous cell carcinoma. Curative intent surgery and radiation therapy allowed for local control of the neoplasm; however, the development of a persistent oronasal fistula prevented a complete recovery. A temporalis myofascial rotation flap allowed for successful resolution of the maxillary defect. Implementation of the flap was relatively simple and was associated with few complications.

Understanding the inherent radiosensitivity and repair capacity of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) can aid in optimizing radiation protocols to treat this disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the parameters surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF(2) ), α/β ratio and capacity for sublethal damage repair (SLDR) in response to radiation. Dose-response and split-dose studies were performed using the clonogenic assay. The mean SF(2) for three established TCC cell lines was high at 0.61. All the three cell lines exhibited a low to moderate α/β ratio, with the mean being 3.27. Two cell lines exhibited statistically increased survival at 4 and 24 h in the dose-response assay. Overall, our results indicate that the cell lines are moderately radioresistant, have a high repair capacity and behave similarly to a late-responding normal tissue. These findings indicate that the radiation protocols utilizing higher doses with less fractionation may be more effective for treating TCC., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of radical excision of feline injection-site sarcomas (ISS) via assessment of local recurrence and metastasis rates, survival times, and complications associated with surgery., Design: Retrospective case series., Animals: 91 cats with ISS., Procedures: Medical records of cats that had radical excision of ISS without adjunctive treatment were reviewed. Information extracted included sex, type of surgical procedure, histologic tumor grade, tumor diameter, time from tumor detection to definitive surgery, complications associated with surgery, whether tumors recurred locally or metastasized, and survival times. Diagnosis of ISS was histologically confirmed, and additional follow-up was performed., Results: Overall median survival time was 901 days. Thirteen of 91 (14%) cats had local tumor recurrence; 18 (20%) cats had evidence of metastasis after surgery. Median survival time of cats with and without recurrence was 499 and 1,461 days, respectively. Median survival time of cats with and without metastasis was 388 and 1,528 days, respectively. Tumor recurrence and metastasis were significantly associated with survival time, whereas other examined variables were not. Major complications occurred in 10 cats, including 7 with incisional dehiscence., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Radical excision of ISS resulted in a metastasis rate similar to rates reported previously; the local recurrence rate appeared to be substantially less than rates reported after less aggressive surgeries, with or without adjuvant treatment. Major complication rates were similar to rates reported previously after aggressive surgical resection of ISS. Radical excision may be a valuable means of attaining an improved outcome in the treatment of feline ISS.

Objective: To report outcome in dogs after internal fixation of a sarcoma-related pathologic fracture of the appendicular skeleton., Study Design: Multi-institutional case series., Animals: Dogs (n=16)., Methods: Medical records of participating VSSO members were reviewed for dogs with pathologic fracture associated with a confirmed bone sarcoma of the appendicular skeleton repaired by external or internal fixation. Dogs were included if they had a histological diagnosis of osteosarcoma or sarcoma and excluded if they had radiation before fracture. Data collected were analyzed for signalment, fracture location, staging performed, method of fracture fixation, histopathology, adjunctive treatment and outcome., Results: Signalment and fracture location of 16 dogs that met the inclusion criteria was similar to dogs with appendicular OSA without fracture. One of 14 dogs had pulmonary metastasis and 3 of 5 dogs had bone metastasis. Bone plate or interlocking nail were used for repair in 12 dogs. Limb use immediately after surgery in 13 dogs was good (4), weight-bearing but lame (7) and non-weight bearing (2). Adjunctive therapy was administered in 5 dogs (chemotherapy, 3; radiation, 4; pamidronate, 3). Survival time ranged from 18 to 897 days; median survival was 166 days., Conclusions: Repair of pathologic fracture can result in palliation and prolonged survival., (© Copyright 2011 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Neoplastic diseases are typically diagnosed by biopsy and histopathological evaluation. The pathology report is key in determining prognosis, therapeutic decisions, and overall case management and therefore requires diagnostic accuracy, completeness, and clarity. Successful management relies on collaboration between clinical veterinarians, oncologists, and pathologists. To date there has been no standardized approach or guideline for the submission, trimming, margin evaluation, or reporting of neoplastic biopsy specimens in veterinary medicine. To address this issue, a committee consisting of veterinary pathologists and oncologists was established under the auspices of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Oncology Committee. These consensus guidelines were subsequently reviewed and endorsed by a large international group of veterinary pathologists. These recommended guidelines are not mandated but rather exist to help clinicians and veterinary pathologists optimally handle neoplastic biopsy samples. Many of these guidelines represent the collective experience of the committee members and consensus group when assessing neoplastic lesions from veterinary patients but have not met the rigors of definitive scientific study and investigation. These questions of technique, analysis, and evaluation should be put through formal scrutiny in rigorous clinical studies in the near future so that more definitive guidelines can be derived.

There is an increasing need for more accurate prognostic and predictive markers in veterinary oncology because of an increasing number of treatment options, the increased financial costs associated with treatment, and the emotional stress experienced by owners in association with the disease and its treatment. Numerous studies have evaluated potential prognostic and predictive markers for veterinary neoplastic diseases, but there are no established guidelines or standards for the conduct and reporting of prognostic studies in veterinary medicine. This lack of standardization has made the evaluation and comparison of studies difficult. Most important, translating these results to clinical applications is problematic. To address this issue, the American College of Veterinary Pathologists' Oncology Committee organized an initiative to establish guidelines for the conduct and reporting of prognostic studies in veterinary oncology. The goal of this initiative is to increase the quality and standardization of veterinary prognostic studies to facilitate independent evaluation, validation, comparison, and implementation of study results. This article represents a consensus statement on the conduct and reporting of prognostic studies in veterinary oncology from veterinary pathologists and oncologists from around the world. These guidelines should be considered a recommendation based on the current state of knowledge in the field, and they will need to be continually reevaluated and revised as the field of veterinary oncology continues to progress. As mentioned, these guidelines were developed through an initiative of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists' Oncology Committee, and they have been reviewed and endorsed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) develop from mesenchymal cells of soft tissues, and they commonly occur in the skin and subcutis of the dog. Although phenotypically diverse with frequently controversial histogenesis, STSs are considered as a group because they have similar features microscopically and clinically. Following resection, local recurrence rates are low in general but vary according to histologic grade and completeness of surgical margins. Complete margins predict nonrecurrence. Even most grade I STSs with "close" margins will not recur, but propensity for recurrence increases with grade. The frequency of metastasis has not been accurately estimated, but it is believed to be rare for grade I STSs and most likely to occur with grade III STSs. However, metastasis does not necessarily equate with poor survival. High mitotic index is prognostic for reduced survival time. Further research is needed to determine more precise estimates for recurrence rates and survival as related to completeness of surgical margins and to delineate potential differences in metastatic rate and median survival time between grades. Other potential indicators of prognosis that presently require further investigation include histologic type, tumor dimension, location, invasiveness, stage, markers of cellular proliferation, and cytogenetic profiles. Common issues limiting prognostic factor evaluation include biases from retrospective studies, small sample sizes, poor verification of metastasis, inconsistent STS classification and use of nomenclature, difficulties in differentiating STS phenotype, and diversity of the study population (stage of disease and treatment status).

Objective: To compare surgical time and intraoperative blood loss for 5 partial liver lobectomy techniques in the dog., Study Design: Experimental in vivo study., Animals: Dogs (n=10)., Methods: Five surgical techniques (SurgiTie(™) ; LigaSure(™) ; Ultracision(®) Harmonic Scalpel [UAS]; Suction+Clip; Suction+thoracoabdominal stapler [TA]) for partial liver lobectomy in dogs were evaluated and compared for total surgical time and intraoperative blood loss. Body weight, activated clotting time (ACT), heart rate, and intraoperative blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Blood loss was determined by adding the weight of the blood soaked sponges during surgery (1 g=1 mL) to the amount of suctioned blood (mL). Surgical time (in seconds) was determined from the start of the lobectomy until cessation of bleeding from the stump. Mean surgical time and mean blood loss for each technique were compared using a Tukey's multiple comparison test., Results: No significant differences were found between dogs for weight, ACT, heart rate, and intraoperative BP. No complications were seen with the SurgiTie(™) technique in 9 of 10 cases. There was no significant difference in surgical time between techniques however there was a significant difference for blood loss; the Suction+Clip method had significantly more blood loss than the other techniques., Conclusions: Skeletonization of the lobar vessels before individually clipping them (Suction+Clip) resulted in a higher blood loss than using Suction+TA, UAS, SurgiTie(™) or the LigaSure(™) device. The SurgiTie(™) appears to be an acceptable method for partial liver lobectomy., Clinical Relevance: Although skeletonization and individually clipping the vessels had the highest blood loss, it still was <7.5% of total blood volume. All 5 techniques should be safe for clinical use in small to medium sized dogs up to 26 kg., (© Copyright 2010 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

A four-year-old male neutered Australian shepherd dog was diagnosed with a thymoma and concurrent mature T cell lymphocytosis. The lymphocytosis consisted of a mixed population of T cells expressing either CD4 or CD8 or neither marker, and the result of polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement was negative. The peripheral lymphocytosis resolved within 24 hours following thoracotomy and thymectomy. Similar cases have been reported in man, but the aetiology of the increased circulating lymphocytes remains unclear. Although peripheral lymphocytosis is an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome associated with thymomas, thymoma should be considered as a differential when the increased lymphocytes consist of a mixed population of T cells., (© 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

Case Description: A 5-month-old neutered male Golden Retriever was evaluated because of moderate stridor, exercise intolerance, and dyspnea. The dog had been neutered 3 weeks previously, and the referring veterinarian identified a large fluid-filled swelling on the left lateral aspect of the larynx during anesthetic intubation for that surgery. The referring veterinarian drained fluid from the mass by use of needle centesis via the oral cavity, which resulted in temporary improvement in clinical signs; however, the clinical signs returned soon thereafter., Clinical Findings: A large, soft, spherical mass was located between the left arytenoid and thyroid cartilages and axial to the left ceratohyoid bone, thus causing partial obstruction of the rima glottidis. Laryngoscopic examination, computed tomography (CT), and cytologic evaluation of aspirates performed before surgery; examination during surgery; and histologic evaluation of tissues following surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of a laryngeal cyst., Treatment and Outcome: Complete surgical excision was successfully performed via a lateral extraluminal approach to the larynx. One week after surgery, the dog coughed only occasionally. Twelve months after surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal with no recurrence of clinical signs, and laryngoscopic examination revealed no recurrence of the cyst or other pathological changes in the laryngeal region., Clinical Relevance: Congenital laryngeal cysts are rarely reported in domestic animals. The information provided here described the CT appearance of a laryngeal cyst and the use of CT in diagnosis and surgical planning. Congenital laryngeal cysts can be resected via a lateral submucosal approach.

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a wound management system that exposes a wound bed to local negative pressure to promote healing. Benefits of VAC therapy include removal of fluid from the extravascular space, improved circulation, enhanced granulation tissue formation, and increased bacterial clearance. VAC therapy has been used extensively in human patients to treat a variety of acute and chronic wound conditions. This article reviews the use of VAC therapy in a variety of wound conditions and describes our experiences with using VAC therapy in dogs and cats at the University of Florida.

Objective: To evaluate postmortem surgery site leakage by use of in situ isolated pulsatile perfusion after partial liver lobectomies., Animals: 10 healthy mixed-breed male dogs., Procedures: Dogs were anesthetized, and 5 surgical techniques (pretied suture loop, energy-based sealer-divider, harmonic scalpel, suction with clip application, or suction with use of a thoracoabdominal stapler) were used to perform 5 partial liver lobectomies in each dog. Dogs were euthanatized, and the portal vein and hepatic artery were cannulated and perfused with a modified kidney perfusion machine (pulsatile flow for arterial perfusion and nonpulsatile flow for portal perfusion). Lobectomy sites were inspected for leakage of perfusate, and time until detection of leakage was recorded. The techniques in each dog were ranked on the basis of time until leakage. Time until leakage and rankings for each surgical technique were analyzed by use of an ANOVA., Results: Leakage of perfusate was recorded in 44 lobes at supraphysiologic pressures. Of the 6 lobes without leakage, a pretied suture loop procedure was performed in 5 and a harmonic scalpel procedure was performed in 1. Time until leakage and the ranking differed significantly between the pretied suture loop and the other techniques. Time until leakage and ranking did not differ significantly among the other techniques., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Time until leakage of perfusate was greater for the pretied suture loop technique than for the other techniques, and that technique did not fail in 5 of 10 lobes. However, all techniques appeared to be safe for clinical use.

Objective: To characterize biologic behavior, clinical outcome, and effect of histologic grade on prognosis for dogs with appendicular chondrosarcoma treated by amputation alone., Study Design: Case series., Animals: Dogs (n=25) with appendicular chondrosarcoma., Methods: Medical records were searched to identify dogs with appendicular chondrosarcoma treated by limb amputation alone. Information recorded included signalment, anatomic location, radiographic appearance, and development of metastasis. Histopathologic diagnosis was confirmed and graded (1, 2, or 3). Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the association between covariates (gender, age, weight, and tumor grade) and survival were evaluated using the univariate proportional hazards model., Results: Histopathology slides were available for 25 dogs. Rates of pulmonary metastasis were as follows: grade 1-0%, grade 2-31%, and grade 3-50%. Overall median survival time (MST) was 979 days. Age, weight, and sex were not significantly associated with survival (P=.16; .33; and .31, respectively). Survival was significantly associated with tumor grade (P=.008), with dogs with tumor grade of 1, 2, and 3 having MSTs of 6, 2.7, and 0.9 years, respectively., Conclusion: Canine appendicular chondrosarcoma can be treated effectively with amputation alone. Low to intermediate grade chondrosarcoma has a good prognosis, whereas high-grade tumors appear to behave aggressively., Clinical Relevance: The overall prognosis for appendicular chondrosarcoma is better than that of appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

An all-magnetic monochromator/spectrometer system for sub-30 meV energy-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy in the scanning transmission electron microscope is described. It will link the energy being selected by the monochromator to the energy being analysed by the spectrometer, without resorting to decelerating the electron beam. This will allow it to attain spectral energy stability comparable to systems using monochromators and spectrometers that are raised to near the high voltage of the instrument. It will also be able to correct the chromatic aberration of the probe-forming column. It should be able to provide variable energy resolution down to approximately 10 meV and spatial resolution less than 1 A.