title: Frame-Based Stereotactic Biopsy of Canine Brain Masses: Technique and Clinical Results in 26 Cases.
abstract: This report describes the methodology, diagnostic yield, and adverse events (AE) associated with frame-based stereotactic brain biopsies (FBSB) obtained from 26 dogs with solitary forebrain lesions. Medical records were reviewed from dogs that underwent FBSB using two stereotactic headframes designed for use in small animals and compatible with computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Stereotactic plans were generated from MR and CT images using commercial software, and FBSB performed both with (14/26) and without intraoperative image guidance. Records were reviewed for diagnostic yield, defined as the proportion of biopsies producing a specific neuropathological diagnosis, AE associated with FBSB, and risk factors for the development of AE. Postprocedural AE were evaluated in 19/26 dogs that did not proceed to a therapeutic intervention immediately following biopsy. Biopsy targets included intra-axial telencephalic masses (24/26), one intra-axial diencephalic mass, and one extra-axial parasellar mass. The median target volume was 1.99 cm(3). No differences in patient, lesion, or outcome variables were observed between the two headframe systems used or between FBSB performed with or without intraoperative CT guidance. The diagnostic yield of FBSB was 94.6%. Needle placement error was a significant risk factor associated with procurement of non-diagnostic biopsy specimens. Gliomas were diagnosed in 24/26 dogs, and meningioma and granulomatous meningoencephalitis in 1 dog each. AE directly related to FBSB were observed in a total of 7/26 (27%) of dogs. Biopsy-associated clinical morbidity, manifesting as seizures and transient neurological deterioration, occurred in 3/19 (16%) of dogs. The case fatality rate was 5.2% (1/19 dogs), with death attributable to intracranial hemorrhage. FBSB using the described apparatus was relatively safe and effective at providing neuropathological diagnoses in dogs with focal forebrain lesions.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary and Comparative Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA ; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem, NC , USA.
authors.forename: John Henry
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rossmeisl
authors.affiliation: Veterinary and Comparative Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA ; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA.
authors.forename: Rudy T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Andriani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA.
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Cecere
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lahmers
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: LeRoith
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA.
authors.forename: Kurt L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gibo
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Debinski
keywords: brain tumor; dog; glioma; neurooncology; neurosurgery