Erythrocyte and Biochemical Abnormalities as Diagnostic Markers in Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma Related Hemoabdomen

Gadoxetate disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for differentiation between benign and malignant splenic lesions in dogs

Malignant splenic lesions in dogs are common, with hemangiosarcoma diagnosed most frequently, and there have been no consistent clinicopathologic, gross, or imaging characteristics identified that differentiate malignant from benign splenic lesions. Histopathology is required for definitive diagnosis, and given the poor long-term prognosis of malignant splenic lesions, a noninvasive tool to aid in diagnosis would be valuable. This prospective cohort study utilized gadoxetate disodium, a liver-specific contrast agent (Gd-EOB-DPTA; Eovist), to identify the general lesion and pre- and postcontrast signal characteristics of benign and malignant splenic and hepatic lesions in dogs with naturally occurring disease. Twenty-five dogs were enrolled, Eovist-enhanced MRI was performed, and dogs were taken to surgery for splenectomy and other organ biopsy. All histopathology and MRI studies were evaluated by a single pathologist and a single radiologist, respectively. The associations between the tumor type and numerous variables defined on MRI were evaluated using Fisher's exact tests, and the significance was identified at a P-value of .05. Malignant splenic masses were identified in 11/25 (44%) dogs, and 5/11 malignancies represented hemangiosarcoma. The presence of abdominal effusion (P = .017) and the presence of hepatic nodules on MRI (P = .009) were associated with splenic malignancy. There were no benign T2 hyperintense and no malignant T2 hypointense lesions (P = .021). Utilization of the T2 W MRI sequence may aid in the identification of malignant splenic lesions, particularly when accompanied by abdominal effusion and hepatic lesions.

Retrospective Study of Clinicopathological Changes and Prediction Model for Canine Vascular Neoplasms

Vascular neoplasms, including hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and hemangioma (HMA), are more common in dogs than other domestic animal species; however, comprehensive laboratory screening tests for early diagnosis are currently limited. The aims of this study were to investigate general signalments, anatomic locations, and clinicopathological abnormalities of dogs diagnosed with vascular neoplasms and to determine the diagnostic significance of these abnormalities. Retrospective data of dogs with HMA, HSA, and healthy dogs were analyzed. Dogs with HMA and HSA were seniors, with mixed breeds being most affected. HMA affected predominantly non-visceral sites, while HSA was more common in visceral sites, particularly the spleen. In multivariate model analyses, the odds of HMA diagnosis were 5.5 times higher in anemic dogs and 33.0 times higher in lymphopenic dogs compared to dogs without the abnormalities. The odds of HSA diagnosis were 42.5 times higher in anemic dogs, 343 times higher in lymphopenic dogs and 92.7 times higher in dogs with hyperfibrinogenemia compared to dogs without the abnormalities. The study suggested that these identified abnormalities were nonspecific and commonly observed in various chronic diseases, and hence their combination with clinical information, such as diagnostic imaging and histopathology, is important to facilitate a more precise diagnosis of canine vascular neoplasms.

Development of perioperative premature ventricular contractions as an indicator of splenic hemangiosarcoma and median survival times

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study are (1) to determine whether there is an association between dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and the development of premature ventricular contractions (VPCs), (2) to determine if there is a higher likelihood for dogs with ruptured splenic masses to be diagnosed with HSA and to develop VPCs, (3) to determine if the development of VPCs affects median survival times compared to dogs with benign or non-HSA malignant splenic masses.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

Forty-five dogs.

METHODS

Medical records of dogs undergoing splenectomy were reviewed for signalment, perioperative electrocardiogram (ECG), hematological values, histologic diagnosis, metastasis, and survival times. ECGs were performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, and continuously postoperatively. The presence of VPCs was recorded. The data were evaluated for an association between the development of VPCs and the histologic diagnosis of HSA.

RESULTS

Eighteen out of 45 (40%) dogs were diagnosed with HSA with 13/18 (72%) dogs having VPCs postoperatively (P = .02). Ruptured splenic HSA and VPCs were noted in 13 dogs (P = .73). An association between dogs with and without VPCs diagnosed with HSA and median survival times could not be established.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative VPCs were more likely with splenic HSA. Splenic masses were more likely to be HSA if ruptured but less likely to develop VPCs. Development of VPCs does not affect median survival times.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Development of postoperative VPCs may be a potential indicator of HSA, however, this warrants further investigations. Development of VPCs does not have a deleterious effect on survival.

Canine and feline haemangiosarcoma

INTRODUCTION

Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant neoplasm of dogs and cats that is suspected to originate from a pluripotent bone marrow progenitor with a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis.

APPROACH

Pertinent literature was identified, reviewed, and summarized for inclusion in the manuscript.

RESULTS/INTERPRETATION

Dogs are more frequently diagnosed with HSA than cats, and primary sites of this disease include dermal, subcutaneous/intramuscular, and visceral (most commonly the spleen). Dogs and cats with HSA generally have a poor prognosis owing to the rapid and widespread metastasis typically associated with this disease. However, some forms such as cutaneous HSA behave in a less aggressive fashion with improved outcomes. Surgical excision and anthracycline-based chemotherapy remain the mainstays of treatment, although novel treatment modalities are currently under investigation for potential roles in treatment of this disease.

CONCLUSION

This review aims to describe the clinical presentation and progression of the various forms of HSA in dogs and cats as well as to provide a systematic review of the veterinary literature with a focus on the various published treatment options and associated outcomes.

Development and validation of a multivariable model and online decision-support calculator to aid in preoperative discrimination of benign from malignant splenic masses in dogs

OBJECTIVE

To develop a multivariable model and online decision-support calculator to aid in preoperative discrimination of benign from malignant splenic masses in dogs.

ANIMALS

522 dogs that underwent splenectomy because of splenic masses.

PROCEDURES

A multivariable model was developed with preoperative clinical data obtained retrospectively from the records of 422 dogs that underwent splenectomy. Inclusion criteria were the availability of complete abdominal ultrasonographic examination images and splenic histologic slides or histology reports for review. Variables considered potentially predictive of splenic malignancy were analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve was created for the final multivariable model, and area under the curve was calculated. The model was externally validated with data from 100 dogs that underwent splenectomy subsequent to model development and was used to create an online calculator to estimate probability of splenic malignancy in individual dogs.

RESULTS

The final multivariable model contained 8 clinical variables used to estimate splenic malignancy probability: serum total protein concentration, presence (vs absence) of ≥ 2 nRBCs/100 WBCs, ultrasonographically assessed splenic mass diameter, number of liver nodules (0, 1, or ≥ 2), presence (vs absence) of multiple splenic masses or nodules, moderate to marked splenic mass inhomogeneity, moderate to marked abdominal effusion, and mesenteric, omental, or peritoneal nodules. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the development and validation populations were 0.80 and 0.78, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The online calculator (T-STAT.net or T-STAT.org) developed in this study can be used as an aid to estimate the probability of malignancy in dogs with splenic masses and has potential to facilitate owners' decisions regarding splenectomy.

Diagnostic utility of abdominal ultrasonography for evaluation of dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen: 94 cases (2014-2017)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of abdominal ultrasonography (AUS) to detect grossly evident masses in dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen.

ANIMALS

94 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURES

Electronic medical records from 2014 to 2017 were searched to identify dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen that had an AUS performed by a radiologist and subsequently underwent gross evaluation by surgery or necropsy. Ultrasonography, surgery, and histology reports were reviewed, and descriptive statistics were performed. Sensitivity of ultrasonography to detect grossly identifiable masses was calculated.

RESULTS

Differences were identified between AUS and surgical or necropsy findings for 51 of 94 (54%) dogs. Splenic masses were most commonly identified as the cause of hemoabdomen. Sensitivity of AUS was 87.4%, 37.3%, and 31.3% for masses in the spleen, liver, and mesentery, respectively. Five dogs had more lesions identified with AUS than were found on gross evaluation; 0 of 6 dogs with peritoneal diffuse nodular metastasis had lesions detected by AUS.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In this sample of dogs, the utility of AUS to detect grossly identifiable lesions in dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen was limited, with the highest and lowest sensitivity found for splenic masses and diffuse nodular metastasis, respectively.

Refining the "double two-thirds" rule: Genotype-based breed grouping and clinical presentation help predict the diagnosis of canine splenic mass lesions in 288 dogs

Prediction of the likely histopathological diagnosis of canine splenic masses can guide appropriate decision-making. This study explores the predictive effect of breed and clinical presentation on the diagnosis of a canine splenic mass. Records from the Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom (2007-2017) were reviewed. Dogs with a histopathologic or cytologic diagnosis from a splenic mass, or imaging findings consistent with disseminated metastatic disease, were included. Signalment, physical examination, haematology results, imaging findings and pathology reports were recorded. Breeds were grouped according to several permutations of their phenotype and then by clustering of breeds based on single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of malignancy and haemangiosarcoma. Two hundred and eighty-eight dogs were identified: 27% female and 63% male, 21% entire and 79% neutered; German Shepherd was the most common breed (11%). Median age was 10 years and median bodyweight 25 kg. Thirty-eight percent of dogs presented with haemoabdomen; a splenic mass was found incidentally in 28%. Sixty percent had a malignant tumour of which haemangiosarcoma comprised 66%. On multivariable analysis, genotype-based breed group (P = .004), haemoabdomen (P < .001) and neutrophil count (P = .025) predicted malignancy, and genotype-based breed group (P < .001) and haemoabdomen (P < .001) predicted haemangiosarcoma. Genotype-based breed group and occurrence of haemoabdomen may have predictive value to diagnose malignant splenic masses and more specifically haemangiosarcoma. The effect of genotype-based breed grouping was a superior predictor of the diagnosis of a canine splenic mass lesion compared with all phenotype-based groupings tested.

Development and validation of a hemangiosarcoma likelihood prediction model in dogs presenting with spontaneous hemoabdomen: The HeLP score

OBJECTIVE

To calculate a risk prediction model for hemangiosarcoma (HSA) diagnosis in dogs presenting with nontraumatic hemoabdomen.

DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter observational cohort study enrolling dogs presented 2003-2016.

SETTING

Five academic veterinary medical centers.

ANIMALS

A total of 406 dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen as the presenting complaint that underwent surgical exploration or necropsy and received a histological diagnosis. Overall, 219 dogs from 3 centers provided the data for model construction, and 187 dogs from 2 centers provided the population for external validation.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The risk score was modeled on 4 predictors: bodyweight (P = 0.01), total plasma protein (P < 0.01), platelet count (P < 0.01), and thoracic radiograph findings (P = 0.02). The incidence of HSA diagnosis was 36%, 76%, and 96% in the low risk (≤40), medium risk (41-55), and high risk (>55) score groups, respectively. The risk score AUROC was 0.85 (95% CI 0.79-0.90) on the construction population, and 0.77 (95% CI 0.70-0.84) on the validation population.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of HSA diagnosis in dogs presenting with nontraumatic hemoabdomen could be predicted using a simple risk score, which could aid in identification and treatment of dogs at lower risk for this diagnosis.

Distinct functions of dynamin isoforms in tumorigenesis and their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer

Dynamins and their related proteins participate in the regulation of neurotransmission, antigen presentation, receptor internalization, growth factor signalling, nutrient uptake, and pathogen infection. Recently, emerging findings have shown dynamin proteins can also contribute to the genesis of cancer. This up-to-date review herein focuses on the functionality of dynamin in cancer development. Dynamin 1 and 2 both enhance cancer cell proliferation, tumor invasion and metastasis, whereas dynamin 3 has tumor suppression role. Antisense RNAs encoded on the DNA strand opposite a dynamin gene regulate the function of dynamin, and manipulate oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Certain dynamin-related proteins are also upregulated in distinct cancer conditions, resulting in apoptotic resistance, cell migration and poor prognosis. Altogether, dynamins are potential biomarkers as well as representing promising novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. This study also summarizes the current available dynamin-targeted therapeutics and suggests the potential strategy based on signalling pathways involved, providing important information to aid the future development of novel cancer therapeutics by targeting these dynamin family members.