Canine distal hindlimb soft tissue sarcoma--a novel approach to surgical defect closure.

A 10-year-old, male, neutered whippet was presented with a soft tissue mass located on the medial aspect of the distal right tibia. The mass was 4 cm in diameter and of two months duration. Recent biopsy by the referring veterinarian, prompted by noticeable enlargement, identified the mass as a soft tissue sarcoma. Staging assessments did not reveal any evidence of metastases. Marginal excision was performed. The resultant defect was closed primarily by the creation of a bipedicle flap on the distal caudo-lateral aspect of the crus to enclose the Achilles tendon separately, leaving a defect between the Achilles tendon and the tibia. Postoperative management entailed support dressings and exercise restriction. Complete wound healing was attained three weeks postoperatively with excellent return of function. No recurrence was noted at eight months post-resection.

Canine meningioma: a case report of a rare subtype and novel atlanto basioccipital surgical approach.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel histological subtype of skull base and cranial cervical meningioma operated upon through an uncommon atlanto basioccipital approach. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMAL: A seven-year-old neutered female Boxer. METHODS: The dog was presented due to lethargic behavior, signs of head and neck pain, and ongoing tetraparesis. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging led to diagnosis of a ventral spinal canal mass causing severe cord and brainstem compression and which required surgical management. RESULTS: The mass was approached through a ventral craniectomy extending cranially on the basioccipital bone. Extemporaneous cytological examination of the mass led to confirmation of neoplastic nature of the abnormal tissue. Cytoreduction of the mass was performed using multiple cycles of curettage, lavage and suction. Histopathological examination of the tumour was consistent with a papillary variant of meningioma. Adjuvant therapy was declined by the owners. The dog improved considerably in the postoperative period, however three months after surgery signs of recurrence led to euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS: Basioccipital craniectomy allowed a limited but sufficient approach for cytoreduction of a compressive meningioma of the brainstem and cranial cervical spinal cord. Papillary meningiomas are locally infiltrative and postoperative recurrence is common. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Basioccipital approach combined with cranial atlanto corpectomy can be performed to relieve compression of the caudal brainstem and cranial cervical cord.

Presumptive congenital radial head sub-luxation in a shih tzu: successful management by radial head ostectomy.

Congenital radial head sub-luxation was diagnosed in a 7-month-old, neutered male shih tzu that presented with a limb deformity and severe lameness of the right fore limb. Radiography revealed a craniolateral sub-luxation of the right radial head, which was treated by radial head ostectomy, fixation of the radius to the ulna with a screw and joint stabilisation with suture-anchors and cerclage wire. Surgical treatment followed by physiotherapy resulted in a fully functional, well-aligned and non-painful elbow. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case report of a congenital radial head sub-luxation in a craniolateral direction in a dog and also one successfully managed with radial head ostectomy and radioulnar synostosis.