Complete tracheal duplication with a communicating oesophageal foregut malformation in a dog.

A complete tracheal duplication with a communicating foregut malformation has not been previously reported. We now describe the clinical presentation, computed tomography imaging features and pathological findings associated with this condition in a 12-week-old dog. The dog presented with recurrent episodes of bronchopneumonia and a soft tissue swelling in the ventral cervical region. The main findings were a congenital tracheoesophageal fistula connecting the tracheal and oesophageal anomalies, with secondary moderately neutrophilic bronchopneumonia. In addition, there was a suspected concurrent congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrioventricular endocardiosis. This report highlights a novel foregut duplication and may assist in understanding the currently debated aetiopathogenesis of this condition in both humans and animals.

Safety and feasibility of stereotactic radiotherapy using computed portal radiography for canine intracranial tumors.

Stereotactic radiotherapy is a highly conformal treatment option for intracranial and extracranial malignancies. Stereotactic radiotherapy utilizes specialized equipment specifically designed to avoid normal tissue while delivering ablative treatments with submillimeter precision and accuracy. Linear accelerator based stereotactic radiotherapy incorporates on-board image guidance utilizing cone beam computed tomography (CT). Many institutions lack the ability to provide image guidance with cone beam CT but delivery of highly conformal treatments with submillimeter precision and accuracy is still feasible. The purpose of this retrospective, pilot study was to describe clinical outcomes for a group of dogs with neurological disease that were treated with an stereotactic radiotherapy technique utilizing intensity modulated radiation therapy, megavoltage computed portal radiography, a bite plate, thermoplastic mold, and mask based positioning system. Twelve dogs with neurological clinical signs were included. The diagnosis of intracranial tumor was made based on advanced imaging (12/12) and confirmed via histopathology (3/12). Twelve courses of stereotactic radiotherapy, utilizing three fractions of 8.0 Gy, were delivered on alternating days. Self-resolving neurological deterioration was observed in two patients during stereotactic radiotherapy. Neurological progression free interval and median survival time were 273 days (range: 16-692 days) and 361 days (range: 25-862 days). Stereotactic radiotherapy using computed portal radiography may be a safe treatment option for dogs with intracranial tumors.