Right ventricular rupture after lateral thoracotomy for removal of rib-associated telangiectatic osteosarcoma in a dog.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of a focal right ventricular rupture following removal of a rib-associated telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) in a dog.


METHODS
A 2-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog, weighing 20 kg, was presented in compensated hypovolemic shock due to active bleeding into the thoracic cavity. The dog was stabilized with appropriate fluid administration. Subsequent computed tomographic examination revealed a large mineralized mass originating from the body of a rib and displacing the heart. Two days after surgical removal of this mass, focal right ventricular rupture occurred and the dog died. The mass was later identified as a TOS.


CONCLUSIONS
Although hemothorax secondary to TOS has been described previously, this report describes for the first time, spontaneous focal right ventricular rupture as a rare complication of thoracotomy and rib resection for the removal of a rib-associated, intrathoracic TOS.
Barmettler
Reto
R
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. reto.barmettler@kkh.unibe.ch
Spreng
David E
DE
Gorgas
Daniela
D
Scharf
Gernot
G
Posthaus
Horst
H
Sigrist
Nadja E
NE
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012272:Ribs / Q000473:pathology; D012421:Rupture / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*