[Treatment of keratitis superficialis chronica of the dog with strontium 90].
BACKGROUND
Corneal pannus is a disease which, if untreated, nearly always is progressive and may lead to blindness of the affected dog. A therapeutic standard is yet to be defined. Beta-ray irradiation with Sr-90 is often recommended on a casuistic basis, but systematic studies are sparse. The aim of the present study was to evaluate efficacy and to document side effects of radiotherapy with Sr-90.


METHODS
17 animals were treated. 13 of them received treatment of 15 Gy surface dose twice within 2 days with additional medical therapy with ciclosporin and prednisolon. Only the more affected eye was treated with radiation which was applied with an eye-applicator, the other eye served as control. Four animals with already advanced impairment of vision received keratectomy, afterwards radiation was applied on both sides.


RESULTS
Medical treatment alone led to deterioration in vascularization and spread of pigmentation in eleven of 13 (85%) of the control-eyes, density of pigmentation increased in eight of 13 (62%). After radiation therapy, almost all animals showed a marked initial improvement. Even if progressive disease occurred later on, further worsening as it happened in the control-eyes could be stopped in nine resp. ten of 13 eyes (69% and 77%). All animals with keratectomy and radiotherapy regained and preserved adequate vision. Besides short-term blepharospasm, no side effects were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal pannus is responsive to radiation therapy with Sr-90 and long-term benefit can be achieved. Side effects are minimal. Optimal sequencing of therapy and dosage still have to be examined.
Höcht
Stefan
S
Klinik und Poliklinik für Radioonkologie und Strahlentherapie Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, FU Berlin. hoecht@ukbf.fu-berlin.de
Grüning
Georg
G
Allgoewer
Ingrid
I
Nausner
Martin
M
Brunnberg
Leo
L
Hinkelbein
Wolfgang
W
D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007634:Keratitis / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone
Die Behandlung der Keratitis superficialis chronica des Hundes mit Strontium-90.