Vertebral Tumors in the Dog: A Clinical Radiologic, and Pathologic Study of 61 Primary and Secondary Lesions

Abstract

The clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features of 26 primary a n d 35 secondary vertebral tumors of the dog with varying periods of clinical signs, possibly influenced by their being referred dogs, a r e presented. Pain without neurologic signs was the predominant initial sign with both primary a n d secondary tumors. However, by the time of hospital admission, most dogs had neurologic deficits. The time from pain onset to neurologic deficit ranged from two days to nine months. German Shepherd Dogs, Standard Poodles, a n d Labrador Retrievers were heavily represented; the average age was 7 years a n d there was a slight predominance of male dogs. Both primary a n d secondary tumors showed a destructive pattern, often with cortical destruction a n d adjacent disc space collapse. An associated paravertebral soft tissue mass was frequently present in the secondary tumors, 13 of 35 being secondary to intrapelvic tumors. Osteosarcomas were the most common primary tumor; the secondary tumor cell type varied. Most dogs were euthanized immediately upon histopathologic confirmation of the disease. Vctot-itiiiry Kodiology,

Secondary Chronic Respiratory Acidosis in a Dog Following the Cervical Cord Compression by an Intradural Glioma.

“…A variety of clinical symptoms associated with myelopathy of the upper cervical region have been described in clinical case reports [5,10,11,14]. A case with chronic respiratory acidosis, such as the one presented here, has not been reported to date.…”

“…Clinical problems relating to tumors occurring at these regions usually consist of pain and myelopathy that includes sensory and motor nerve systems at the site involved [6,[8][9][10][11]. Tumors that develop near the upper cervical vertebral area are known to result in cervical pain, paresis, or paralysis of the fore-and hind-legs.…”

The Use of Zoledronic Acid for Solitary Osseous Plasmacytoma in a Dog

“…Vertebral plasma cell tumors are rare in dogs, accounting for approximately 8% of primary vertebral tumors 14) and less than 4% of all vertebral tumors 18) . In humans, vertebral plasma cell tumors are divided into two types: multiple myeloma, which is the disseminated disease, and plasmacytoma, which is the rarer solitary plasma cell tumor 2) .…”

“…Diagnosis of vertebral SOP in dogs through imaging modalities is dependent on radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 9) . Tissue biopsy or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of vertebral tumors is essential for the definitive diagnosis of vertebral SOP, but presents a surgical challenge if the diseased part of the vertebra is not easily accessible 14) .…”

“…Reported treatments in dogs include radiation therapy, chemotherapy with prednisone and melphalan 22,23) , bisphosphonates as palliative therapy 3,20) , and when possible, surgical resection 14) . Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogs of inorganic pyrophosphate and were initially utilized for diagnostic purposes in bone scanning due to their ability to absorb into minerals of the bone.…”