Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Use of Ir192 interstitial brachytherapy for an equine malignant dermal schwannoma.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Saulez, M N et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Hanoverian mare had a swelling in her cheek that came back three months after surgery to remove it. An ultrasound showed a mass near her cheek teeth, and a biopsy confirmed it was a type of cancer called a malignant dermal schwannoma. The mare underwent a treatment where tiny radioactive wires were placed under her skin to deliver radiation for 14 days. After the treatment, she experienced some side effects like irritation and a change in the position of her muzzle, but ten months later, there has been no sign of the tumor returning. This suggests that this type of radiation therapy could be a good option for similar cases where surgery isn't possible or the tumor comes back.
Abstract
A 10-year-old Hanoverian mare was evaluated for a right buccal swelling that recurred 3 months following surgical resection. Ultrasonographic examination showed a broadly pedunculated subcutaneous mass at the level of 106-109 and 406-409 cheek teeth associated with an erosive mucosal lesion on the inside of the cheek. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed a well-demarcated, malignant, dermal schwannoma. Following subcutaneous placement of platinum coated Ir192 wires under general anaesthesia, low-dose radiation of 5 gray per day was delivered for 14 days. Short-term complications included loss of patency of the right nasolacrimal duct, erythema, dermatitis, leukotrichia and left-sided deviation of the muzzle. Ten months later, there has been no tumour recurrence. Findings suggest that the use of interstitial brachytherapy should be considered for a malignant, dermal schwannoma that has recurred or is not amenable to surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20458871/