Nesidioblastosis and Subsequent Diabetes Mellitus in a Dog with Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia Treated with Partial Pancreatectomy.

A 6.5 yr old castrated male mixed-breed dog was presented for clinical signs associated with hypoglycemia. Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia was diagnosed as the cause of the persistent hypoglycemia. No obvious pancreatic mass was seen on abdominal computed tomography and exploratory laparotomy. A partial pancreatectomy was performed with the suspicion of an insulinoma-causing hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Nesidioblastosis was diagnosed based clinical, biochemical, and histopathologic findings. There was beta cell hyperplasia and no evidence of neoplasia. The dog was euglycemic postoperatively after a partial pancreatectomy. Long-term follow-up after 2 yr revealed that the dog was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of a resorbable self-locking ligation device for performing peripheral lung biopsies in a caprine cadaveric model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare airway leak pressures after sealing peripheral lung biopsy sites with a resorbable ligation device (LigaTie) or thoracoabdominal (TA) staples. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study. ANIMALS: Four normal caprine cadavers. METHODS: Twelve lung lobes were harvested from 4 goats immediately after euthanasia. Each lobe was inflated to 20 cm H2 O to test for leaks prior to biopsy. Pressure was then maintained at 10 cm H2 O. Biopsy samples were obtained 3 cm from the periphery with a resorbable ligation device or a TA stapler (n = 6 per group). After biopsy, inflation pressure was slowly increased to 40 cm H2 O while lungs were submerged in water. The pressure at which bubbles were first seen was recorded as the airway leak pressure. The length, width, volume, and weight were recorded for each biopsy sample. RESULTS: Five of 6 LigaTie biopsy sites sustained the maximum pressure of 40 cm H2 O without leaking. One site leaked at 24 cm H2 O. The TA-stapled sites sustained airway pressure to median 25.5 cm H2 O (interquartile range, 23.5-26 cm H2 O), and none of them reached the maximum pressure (P = .015). There were no differences in biopsy length, volume, or weight between groups. CONCLUSION: Biopsy sites sealed with LigaTie withstood higher airway pressure without leaking compared with TA-stapled biopsy sites in normal cadaveric specimens. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The LigaTie may be an alternative technique for sealing peripheral lung biopsy sites.

Lung lobe torsion in dogs: 52 cases (2005-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes and risk factors for mortality in dogs that underwent surgical management of lung lobe torsion. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series from 5 veterinary teaching hospitals (2005-2017). ANIMALS: Fifty dogs with 52 instances of lung lobe torsion. METHODS: Data collected from medical records included signalment, clinical findings, results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging, surgical treatment, lung lobe affected, intraoperative and postoperative complications, histopathologic and microbiologic findings, and outcome. Follow-up was obtained from medical records and telephone contact with primary care veterinarians. RESULTS: Fifty-two instances of lung lobe torsion were identified in 50 dogs, with a median follow-up of 453 days (range, 0-3075). Forty-six (92%) dogs survived to discharge. Dogs with concurrent torsion of the right cranial and middle lung lobes were less likely to survive (2/4) than those with torsion of the left cranial lung lobe (22/22). No other risk factors for mortality prior to hospital discharge were identified. Overall median survival time after hospital discharge was 1369 days. Four dogs had >1 episode of lung lobe torsion. CONCLUSION: The percentage of dogs surviving to discharge after surgical treatment of lung lobe torsion was higher than previously reported. The short- and long-term prognosis was excellent with surgical treatment of lung lobe torsion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgery should be recommended when lung lobe torsion is suspected because of the high survival to discharge rate and excellent long-term prognosis.

Cystic duct pressures after ligation with a novel absorbable device in an ex vivo caprine cholecystectomy model.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard of care in human medicine for gall bladder disease. Although infrequently reported in veterinary literature, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an option for uncomplicated gall bladder disease in canine patients. Due to the risk of cystic duct ligature slippage or clip dislodgement, we wanted to explore the use of a LigaTie; a novel absorbable medical device modeled after a cable tie. Our object was to describe the use of the LigaTie in a caprine cadaveric study of cholecystectomies as a model for canine patients and demonstrate the leak pressure of the cystic duct compared with cholecystectomies performed with 2 large endoscopic hemoclips. Samples of caprine gall bladder, liver, and cystic duct were collected. The cystic duct was ligated with either 2 large endoscopic hemoclips or a LigaTie. Maximum cystic duct pressure was recorded. Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the maximum cystic duct pressure achieved for cystic ducts ligated with 2 large endoscopic hemoclips or the LigaTie (P = 0.865). No leakage was observed from the cystic duct, hemoclip, or LigaTie site in either group. Supraphysiologic pressures were achieved in both groups and high pressure occlusion of the infusion pump determined the maximum intraluminal pressure achieved. Based on these results, the LigaTie may provide advantages in minimally invasive surgery, especially when considering ligation of a friable or thickened cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Future in vivo studies are warranted to determine minimally invasive maneuverability, tissue interaction, complications, and outcomes.

La cholécystectomie par laparoscopie est le standard de soin en médecine humaine pour les maladies de la vésicule biliaire. Bien que rapportée peu fréquemment dans la littérature vétérinaire, la cholécystectomie par laparoscopie est une option pour les maladies non-compliquées de la vésicule biliaire chez les patients canins. Due au risque de glissement de la ligature du canal cholédoque ou au déplacement de l'agrafe, nous avons voulu explorer l'utilisation de LigaTie; un nouveau dispositif médical résorbable modélisé d'après une attache de câble. Notre objectif était de décrire l'utilisation de LigaTie dans une étude sur des cadavres de chèvres de cholécystectomies comme modèle pour des patients canins et de démontrer la pression de fuite du canal cholédoque comparativement à des cholécystectomies réalisées avec deux larges agrafes hémostatiques endoscopiques. Des échantillons de vésicules biliaires, de foies et de canal cholédoques caprins ont été prélevés. Le canal cholédoque était ligaturé avec soit deux larges agrafes hémostatiques endoscopiques ou du LigaTie. La pression maximale dans le canal cholédoque fut enregistrée. Les résultats ont montré qu'il n'y avait pas de différence statistiquement significative dans la pression maximale atteinte dans le canal cholédoque par les deux méthodes de ligature (P = 0,865). Aucune fuite ne fut observée des sites de ligature du canal cholédoque que ce soit du groupe avec agrafes ou celui avec LigaTie. Des pressions supra-physiologiques ont été atteintes dans les deux groupes et l'occlusion de la pompe à infusion due à la haute pression a déterminé la pression intraluminale maximale atteinte. En fonction de ces résultats, le LigaTie est avantageux comme méthode chirurgicale minimalement invasive, surtout si l'on considère la ligature d'un canal cholédoque friable ou épaissi durant une cholécystectomie par laparoscopie. Des études in vivo ultérieures sont nécessaires afin de déterminer la manoeuvrabilité invasive minimale, l'interaction tissulaire, les complications et les résultats.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Important drug interactions in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: what every physician should know.

Morbidity is increased in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation when drug-drug interactions lead to unexpected outcomes. These interactions occur as a result of exposure to complicated medical regimens with drugs with narrow therapeutic windows and high toxicity profiles. In this report, we review the available evidence and possible mechanisms of the most clinically relevant drug interactions, including those involving inhibitors and inducers of the P450 isoenzyme system. We identify key interactions that should be familiar to any physician caring for patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We discuss drug metabolism in children and in the elderly and examine how age-related differences in metabolism make complicate drug regimens in these populations. A better understanding of these interactions and the responsible mechanisms will promote efficient delivery of the safest medical regimens to patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Delayed urethral obstruction after uterine torsion in a pregnant dog.

A 4 yr old pregnant female shih tzu was presented with abdominal discomfort and bloody vulvar discharge. The nongravid uterine horn was reflected caudally over the trigone, obstructing urine outflow. A cesarian section and ovariohysterectomy were performed. Postoperatively, the hematuria and pollakiuria resolved. Seventeen days later, the pelvic urethra was completely obstructed by a soft tissue mass that was identified by rectal palpation, blocked catheterization attempts, contrast radiography, ultrasonography, and surgery. Management included temporary cystostomy tube and definitive prepubic urethrostomy. Histologic diagnosis was severe, multifocal, necrosuppurative urethritis with fibroplasia, fibrosis, and cellulitis, apparently secondary to ischemia. Delayed urethral obstruction is a potential complication of canine uterine torsion.

Porcine small intestinal submucosa augmentation urethroplasty and balloon dilatation of a urethral stricture secondary to inadvertent prostatectomy in a dog.

A 10-month-old, male German shepherd dog experienced inadvertent prostatectomy during cryptorchidectomy. Cystourethral anastomosis was performed 1 day later. The dog developed stranguria and incontinence. A proximal urethral stricture was diagnosed with a contrast urethrogram 5 weeks later. Urethral augmentation with an onlay graft of porcine small intestinal submucosa was performed. Urinary diversion was accomplished with a urethral catheter followed by a cystostomy tube. The stricture recurred over the next 6 weeks. Three urethral balloon dilatations were performed 3 days apart, with the third attempt resulting in expansion of the stricture. Twenty-two months postdilatation, the dog intermittently urinated with a steady stream and had mild to moderate urinary incontinence.

Outcome of permanent tracheostomy for treatment of upper airway obstruction in cats: 21 cases (1990-2007).

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical outcome of permanent tracheostomy in cats with upper airway obstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 21 cats. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for information on history, signalment, clinical signs, results of preoperative clinicopathologic testing, cause of upper airway obstruction, surgical procedure, postoperative complications, and outcome. RESULTS: Causes of upper airway obstruction included neoplasia (squamous cell carcinoma [n = 6] or malignant lymphoma [2]), inflammatory laryngeal disease (5), laryngeal paralysis (4), trauma (3), and a laryngeal mass of unknown cause (1). Fourteen cats had dyspnea in the immediate postoperative period; dyspnea most often resulted from mucous plugs at the stoma or elsewhere in the respiratory tract. Eleven cats died, including 6 cats that died while hospitalized after surgery and 5 cats that died after discharge; 7 cats were euthanatized, most often because of progression of neoplasia; and 2 were still alive at the time of the study. The remaining cat was lost to follow-up after discharge from the hospital. Overall, median survival time for the 20 cats for which information was available was 20.5 days (range, 1 day to 5 years). Cats that underwent permanent tracheostomy because of inflammatory laryngeal disease were 6.61 times as likely to die as cats that underwent permanent tracheostomy for any other reason. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that permanent tracheostomy was an uncommon procedure in cats with upper airway obstruction that was associated with high complication and mortality rates.

Preputial damage and lateral penile displacement during castration in a degu.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-month-old male degu was treated for preputial damage and lateral penile displacement that occurred during attempted castration. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Bruising and swelling of the prepuce and severe edema to the left of the prepuce were evident. The penis could not be extruded from the prepuce. Radiography revealed a large bladder. Contrast medium injected into the prepuce filled the peripreputial subcutaneous tissues. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: During surgical exploration through a peripreputial approach, the penis was found to be completely separated from the prepuce and located in the adjacent subcutaneous tissue. The penis was repositioned in the prepuce and anchored with a suture at its base. The following day, the preputial orifice was crusted over, urine was leaking from the incision, and the penis could not be extruded from the prepuce. The anchoring suture was removed, and the tip of the penis was sutured to the preputial orifice so that the penis protruded slightly from the prepuce. Urination was normal after the second surgery. Two years later, the preputial orifice remained adhered to the distal portion of the penis and the exposed penile tissue was healthy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Penile displacement from the prepuce is an unusual complication of castration in degus. The surgical technique used in this animal may be an effective means of repair. Permanent exposure of the tip of the penis may be well-tolerated in degus.

Voriconazole and sirolimus coadministration after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Sirolimus is increasingly used in transplantation for prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease and organ rejection. Voriconazole is contraindicated when used concomitantly with sirolimus because of a substantial increase in sirolimus drug exposure with unadjusted dosing, but voriconazole is also considered the best initial treatment of invasive aspergillosis and other fungal infections. Patients who received voriconazole and sirolimus concomitantly were identified by a review of the medical records of all allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients at our institution from September 1, 2002, to June 1, 2005. Data including baseline characteristics, indications for both drugs, and potential adverse effects were evaluated. Eleven patients received voriconazole and sirolimus concomitantly for a median of 33 days (range, 3-100 days). In 8 patients whose sirolimus dose was initially reduced by 90%, trough sirolimus levels were similar to those obtained before the administration of voriconazole; no obvious significant toxicity from either drug was observed during coadministration. Serious adverse events were observed in 2 patients in whom sirolimus dosing was not adjusted during voriconazole administration. Sirolimus and voriconazole may be safely coadministered if there is an empiric initial 90% sirolimus dose reduction combined with systematic monitoring of trough levels.

Omentalization of a nonresectable uterine stump abscess in a dog.

One month after ovariohysterectomy, a 2-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was evaluated because of an extensive uterine stump abscess. Clinical signs included intermittent vomiting, signs of depression, lethargy, and pollakiuria. The dog underwent abdominal surgery; the greatly enlarged uterine stump was tightly adhered to the dorsal surface of the bladder, encompassing the distal portions of the ureters and the bladder's neurovascular supply. En bloc resection of the uterine stump was not considered an acceptable treatment option because of the risk of surgical damage to and subsequent devitalization of the bladder or ureters, urinary incontinence, or urinary tract obstruction. Therefore, the diseased uterine tissue that extended cranial to the bladder was resected, and the remaining abscess cavity was lavaged and packed with omentum. The dog recovered fully from the procedure. The omentum is an effective physiologic drain; its extensive vascular and lymphatic networks absorb fluid and actively promote elimination of infection. Omentalization appears to be an option for surgical management of nonresectable uterine stump abscesses in dogs.

Prepubic urethrostomy and placement of a caudal superficial epigastric flap for treatment of a self-mutilation injury in a serval.

A 10-year-old male serval was examined for treatment of a self-inflicted perineal wound that obliterated the ventral anocutaneous junction, penis, scrotum, testicles, and proximal portions of the caudomedial thigh muscles. Repair required placement of a caudal superficial epigastric flap and prepubic urethrostomy. Although it is generally preferable to delay repair of contaminated wounds until a healthy wound bed is established, circumstances related to wound location, affected tissues, and patient compliance led to a decision for immediate wound closure. In this serval, a history of food intolerance, recent diet change, eosinophilia, and eosinophilic granuloma-like skin lesions suggested that the self-mutilation injury was a result of food hypersensitivity, although foreign body or a spider bite could not be ruled out.