Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiation and surgery to save dogs' front leg bones with cancer
By Boston, Sarah Elizabeth et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2007·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intraoperative radiation for limb sparing of the distal aspect of the radius without transcarpal plating in five dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of five dogs with bone tumors in the lower leg underwent a special surgery called intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) to try to save their limb and preserve the wrist joint. Unfortunately, three of the dogs faced serious complications like implant failure and infections, leading to amputations or additional surgeries. One dog was euthanized due to suspected tumor recurrence four months later. While the surgery aimed to keep the leg functional, it ultimately did not succeed in preserving the wrist joint, and further research is needed to improve outcomes.
People also search for: dog bone tumor treatment · limb-sparing surgery for dogs · intraoperative radiation therapy for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate intraoperative irradiation (IORT) as a method of limb spare with preservation of the radiocarpal joint. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=5) with stage II sarcoma of the distal aspect of the radius. METHODS: A bone segment containing the tumor was isolated surgically, treated by IORT, reimplanted, and secured by internal fixation. In 1 dog, the postradiation tumor bed was curetted and filled with bone cement. Dogs were administered alternating adriamycin and carboplatin starting 2 weeks after IORT and monitored at regular intervals. RESULTS: Four dogs had osteosarcoma and 1 had undifferentiated sarcoma. Implant failure (n=3), deep tissue infection (3), and pathologic fracture (3) resulted in amputation (3) or pancarpal plating (2). The dog with undifferentiated sarcoma was euthanatized because of suspected tumor recurrence 4 months postoperatively. Osteotomy healing was documented by radiography (1), histopathology (2), or by direct observation (2). CONCLUSIONS: A technique for limb-sparing surgery of the distal portion of the radius in dogs using IORT had advantages include healing of the autograft and a source for a perfectly fitting autograft but did not appear to offer any advantage with respect to infection rate. Long-term preservation of the radiocarpal joint was not successful. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It was not possible to preserve the function of the radiocarpal joint and so this technique cannot be recommended currently. Further study is needed to evaluate whether or not IORT can be considered in combination with pancarpal plating and possibly curettage and cementation of the tumor to prevent subchondral bone collapse.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17547594/