Diode laser ablation of a tracheal osteochondroma in a dog

Abstract

A 4-month-old Golden Retriever underwent laryngoscopy/tracheoscopy for severe inspiratory dyspnea. A tracheal mass almost completely obstructing the lumen was noted. Histopathology was consistent with osteochondroma. Successful endoscopic diode laser ablation of the tumour and follow up are described.

Tracheal plasmacytoma in a dog

“…The dog in the present report was presented with a two‐week history of progressively worsening stridor and a single syncopal episode. This presentation is similar to previously reported clinical signs associated with tracheal neoplasia and include dyspnoea, wheezing, stridor, cough, exercise intolerance and syncope 2 7 10 12 15. The owner also mentioned that the stridor and respiratory effort appeared to be worse at rest.…”

“…The use of laser debulking in respiratory tumours provides immediate relief of clinical signs and can be curative in benign lesions 9. The use of laser therapy in removal of mass lesions has been reported in veterinary medicine,19–21 and was recently attempted with a successful outcome in a canine tracheal osteochondroma 10. In the current case, laser ablation offered a minimal invasive approach to remove a large tracheal tumour.…”

“…9 The use of laser therapy in removal of mass lesions has been reported in veterinary medicine, [19][20][21] and was recently attempted with a successful outcome in a canine tracheal osteochondroma. 10 In the current case, laser ablation offered a minimal invasive approach to remove a large tracheal tumour. Surgical excision was considered, but due to concerns relating to the size of the mass and the likelihood of tracheal anastomosis and possible breakdown, laser ablation seemed like a better option to alleviate the dog's clinical signs.…”

“…A similar approach as performed by Bottero and others10 was used to remove the tracheal EMP in this case. There were no complications during the surgery or the immediate postoperative period, and the owner had no concerns during the subsequent follow‐up period.…”

“…In veterinary medicine, surgical resection, with or without anastomosis, is the standard treatment option for removal of tracheal masses 7 8. However, minimally invasive, endoscopic removal of tracheal masses has been successfully performed in human beings,9 and was recently successful in a four‐month‐old golden retriever 10. This case report describes the first tracheal extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) managed by the use of endoscopy diode laser, and hence a minimally invasive approach that may be used as part of a management strategy for such tumours in veterinary practice, particularly in cases where surgical excision is not an option.…”