Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
EARLY POSTOPERATIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN FIVE DOGS WITH CONFIRMED AND SUSPECTED BRAIN TUMORS.
- Journal:
- Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
- Year:
- 2015
- Authors:
- Chow, Kathleen Ella et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital · Australia
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at five dogs that had surgery to remove brain tumors and used MRI scans shortly after the operation to check for any remaining tumor tissue or complications. The researchers found that common issues included unusual changes in the membranes around the brain, bleeding, and signs of problems at the edges of where the tumor was removed. In two cases, they confirmed leftover tumor tissue, while in others, they suspected it but couldn't be sure. Overall, the findings suggest that early MRI scans after surgery can be helpful in spotting any remaining tumor tissue in dogs.
Abstract
Early postoperative neuroimaging has been performed in people for over 20 years to detect residual brain tumor tissue and surgical complications. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe characteristics observed using early postoperative magnetic resonance imaging in a group of dogs undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor removal. Two independent observers came to a consensus opinion for presence/absence of the following MRI characteristics: residual tumor tissue; hemorrhage and ischemic lesions; abnormal enhancement (including the margins of the resection cavity, choroid plexus, meninges) and signal intensity changes on diffusion-weighted imaging. Five dogs were included in the study, having had preoperative and early postoperative MRI acquired within four days after surgery. The most commonly observed characteristics were abnormal meningeal enhancement, linear enhancement at margins of the resection cavity, hemorrhage, and a thin rim of hyperintensity surrounding the resection cavity on diffusion-weighted imaging. Residual tumor tissue was detected in one case of an enhancing tumor and in one case of a tumor containing areas of hemorrhage preoperatively. Residual tumor tissue was suspected but could not be confirmed when tumors were nonenhancing. Findings supported the use of early postoperative MRI as a method for detecting residual brain tumor tissue in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26372362/