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OBJECTIVE To describe the distribution of histopathologic diagnoses in a large population of dogs undergoing surgical treatment for spontaneous hemoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured liver mass. Additionally, to describe survival outcomes and assess for prognostic factors for overall survival time in this population. ANIMALS 200 client-owned dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum resulting from a liver mass. PROCEDURES Medical records from 19 veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, clinical signs, blood work, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, surgical methods, intraoperative and postoperative complications, outcomes, and histopathologic findings. Follow-up information was obtained by contacting the referring veterinarian or owner. RESULTS Well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, benign masses, hemangiosarcoma, and other malignant tumors accounted for 36% (72/200), 27.5% (55/200), 25.5% (51/200), and 11% (22/200) of cases, respectively. Overall survival time for all dogs was 356 days and for the above categories was 897 days, 905 days, 45 days, and 109 days, respectively. Prognostic factors for survival included diagnosis, increased ALT, anemia, and whether a transfusion was received. Overall survival time in dogs with increased ALT was 644 versus 63 days with normal values. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The majority of dogs (63.5%) were diagnosed with well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma or a benign process, resulting in favorable long-term survival. The distribution of histopathology for ruptured liver masses resulting in hemoperitoneum has not been previously reported and may be useful for client discussions prior to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses near-infrared light waves to generate real-time, high-resolution images on the microscopic scale similar to low power histopathology. Previous studies have demonstrated the use of OCT for real-time surgical margin assessment for human breast cancer. The use of OCT for canine mammary tumours (CMT) could allow intra-operative visualisation of residual tumour at the surgical margins. The purpose of this study was to assess OCT imaging for the detection of incomplete tumour resection following CMT surgery. We hypothesized that the OCT images would have comparable features to histopathological images of tissues at the surgical margins of CMT resections along with a high sensitivity of OCT detection of incomplete surgical excision of CMT. Thirty surgical specimens were obtained from nineteen client-owned dogs undergoing surgical resection of CMT. OCT image appearance and characteristics of adipose tissue, skin, mammary tissue and mammary tumour at the surgical margins were distinct and different. The OCT images of normal and abnormal tissues at the surgical margins were utilized to develop a dataset of OCT images for observer evaluation. The sensitivity and specificity for ex vivo images were 83.3% and 82.0% (observer 1) and 70.0% and 67.9% (observer 2). The sensitivity and specificity for in vivo images were 70.0% and 89.3% (observer 1) and 76.7% and 67.9% (observer 2). These results indicate a potential use of OCT for surgical margin assessment for CMT to optimize surgical intervention and clinical outcomes. Improved training and experience of observers may improve sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a rapid non‐invasive imaging technique that has shown high sensitivity for intra‐operative surgical margin assessment in human breast cancer clinical trials. This promising technology has not been evaluated in veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to correlate normal and abnormal histological features with OCT images for surgical margins from excised canine soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and to establish image evaluation criteria for identifying positive surgical margins. Fourteen client‐owned dogs underwent surgical resection of a STS and OCT imaging of 2 to 4 areas of interest on the resected specimen were performed. Following imaging these areas were marked with surgical ink and trimmed for histopathology evaluation. Results showed that different tissue types had distinct characteristic appearances on OCT imaging. Adipose tissue exhibited a relatively low scattering and a honey‐comb texture pattern. Skeletal muscle and sarcoma tissue were both dense and highly scattering. While sarcoma tissue was highly scattering, it did not have organized recognizable structure in contrast to muscle which showed clear fibre alignment patterns. In this investigation, we showed different tissue types had different and characteristic scattering and image texture appearances on OCT, which closely correlate with low‐power histology images. Given the differentiation between tissue types the results support that OCT could be used to identify positive surgical margins immediately following resection of STS. Further research is needed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of this method for surgical margin assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]