title: Endoscopic treatment of an intrathoracic tracheal osteochondroma in a dog.
abstract: METHODS
  A 1.5-year-old spayed female Bernese Mountain Dog was examined for a 6-month history of intermittent vomiting, regurgitation, wheezing, and coughing. Initially, a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease with secondary aspiration pneumonitis was made but clinical signs did not resolve with treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thoracic and cervical radiography and CT revealed a sessile, irregularly marginated soft tissue opacity at the level of the fourth rib. Results of a CBC, serum biochemical analysis, and urinalysis were within reference limits. Results of abdominal ultrasonography were normal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tracheoscopy revealed a firm, irregularly marginated mass apparently originating from the ventral aspect of the trachea, occluding approximately one-half of the tracheal lumen, and located 2 cm cranial to the carina. Cytologic and histopathologic examination of fine-needle aspirate and biopsy samples suggested a benign etiology; therefore, endoscopic minimally invasive laser and electrocautery resection of the mass was scheduled. A total IV anesthetic protocol was administered with an oxygen-air mixture used to decrease the risk of fire during tracheal surgery. The mass was successfully resected, and histopathologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of osteochondroma. Clinical signs resolved, and at follow-up 32 months later, no regrowth of the mass was evident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tracheoscopy-guided electrocautery and surgical diode laser resection was successful in removing an obstructive tracheal mass that was not resectable by means of a conventional open surgical approach. Minimally invasive procedures may decrease morbidity and mortality and improve outcome in appropriately selected small animal patients.
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: Lynelle R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pascoe
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D015831:Osteochondroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*