Increasing evidence suggests that stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) is involved in bone formation, though underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Also, contributions of SDF-1b, the second most abundant splice variant, as an osteogenic mediator remain obscure. We have shown that SDF-1b enhances osteogenesis by regulating bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) signaling in vitro. Here we investigate the dose-dependent contribution of SDF-1b to suboptimal BMP-2-induced local bone formation; that is, a dose that alone would be too low to significantly induce bone formation. We utilized a critical-size rat calvarial defect model and tested the hypotheses that SDF-1b potentiates BMP-2 osteoinduction and that blocking SDF-1 signaling reduces the osteogenic potential of BMP-2 in vivo. In preliminary studies, radiographic analysis at 4 weeks postsurgery revealed a dose-dependent relationship in BMP-2-induced new bone formation. We then found that codelivery of SDF-1b potentiates suboptimal BMP-2 (0.5 mg) osteoinduction in a dose-dependent order, reaching comparable levels to the optimal BMP-2 dose (5.0 mg) without apparent adverse effects. Blocking the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)/SDF-1 signaling axis using AMD3100 attenuated the osteoinductive potential of the optimal BMP-2 dose, confirmed by qualitative histologic analysis. In conclusion, SDF-1b provides potent synergistic effects that support BMP-induced local bone formation and thus appears a suitable candidate for optimization of bone augmentation using significantly lower amounts of BMP-2 in spine, orthopedic, and craniofacial settings.

Objective-To investigate the feasibility of, and outcome after, laparoscopic adrenalectomy in dogs with unilateral adrenocortical carcinoma. Study Design-Case series. Animals-Dogs (n ¼ 7) with Cushing's syndrome caused by unilateral adrenocortical carcinoma. Methods-Laparoscopic adrenalectomy with the dog in lateral recumbency on the unaffected side. Three 5-mm portals (1 laparoscopic portal, 2 instrument portals) were placed in the paralumbar fossa. A fourth instrumental portal (5-12 mm) was placed above the kidney. After dissection and hemostatic control of the phrenicoabdominal vein, the adrenal gland was carefully dissected or when there was capsule fragility, necrotic content was partially aspirated. The remaining glandular tissue was removed through the 12-mm trocar site. Results-Dogs with unilateral adrenocortical carcinoma (3 right-sided, 4 left-sided) without invasion of the caudal vena cava were successfully operated by laparoscopic approach. There were no significant intraoperative complications; 2 dogs died within 48 hours of surgery because of respiratory complications. Five dogs were discharged 72 hours after surgery, and signs of hyperadrenocorticism disappeared thereafter (survival time ranged from 7 to 25 months). Conclusions-Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible in dogs with either right-or left-sided adrenocortical carcinoma not involving the caudal vena cava. Clinical Relevance-When performed by experienced surgeons, laparoscopic adrenalectomy offers a minimally invasive alternative to open laparotomy or retroperitoneal surgery for the treatment of unilateral adrenocortical carcinoma in dogs. r

rhBMP-2/ACS accelerates local bone formation in the rat critical-size through-through calvarial defect model once reaching an osteoinductive dose threshold. This threshold may already be reached at a 1.25-/2.5-μg dose in this model. No further enhancement to bone formation/maturation may be observed adding rhBMP-2 above the 2.5-μg dose. The 1.25-20.0 μg dose range did not invoke appreciable aberrant healing events.

A three-year-old, 30-kg, spayed female German wirehaired pointer was presented for coughing, pyrexia and lethargy. Thoracic radiographs showed mild right-sided pleural effusion, moderate pneumothorax and a pulmonary lesion in the right middle or caudal lung lobe. A diagnosis of pyothorax was established by fine needle aspiration of the pleural effusion. Thoracoscopic exploration was performed using one-lung ventilation. A vegetal foreign body (grass awn) and an abscess were observed in the distal part of the right middle lung lobe. The foreign body was removed and a right middle lung lobectomy was performed, both thoracoscopically. No complications were noted. The dog was discharged 48 hours after surgery, and no recurrence of the clinical signs was observed during the follow-up time period (three years and three months). Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive alternative to thoracotomy to explore and successfully treat some non-chronic pyothoraces in dogs, including lesions affecting the right middle lung lobe.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the surgical technique and outcomes of dogs with congenital thoracic vertebral body malformations (CTVBM) treated with unilateral vertebral distraction and stabilization with monocortical screws and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Study Design Medical records of 10 client-owned dogs with CTVBM were retrospectively searched for signalment, history, neurological examination, neurological grade based on the modified Frankel scale (MFS), diagnostic method, CTVBM location, Cobb's angle, and vertebral canal angle (VCA), surgical procedure, complications and long-term follow-up. Results One dog suffered cardiac arrest 24 hours post-surgery and died. Median follow-up in nine dogs was 26.5 months (12–50 months). Cobb's angle improved from 33–83 to 10–46 degrees and the VCA ratio from 97–138 to 122–164 degrees. The MFS improved from 3 (n = 3)–4 (n = 7) to 4 (n = 2)–6 (n = 7). Seven dogs recovered full function. Nine dogs improved after surgery compared with preoperative status, recovering ambulation when lost or achieving normal neurological examination in seven cases. No complications were reported during the follow-up period (12–50 months). Conclusion Unilateral transthoracic vertebral distraction and stabilization with monocortical screws and PMMA for treatment of compressive myelopathy due to CTVBM achieved long-term neurological improvement in 9 of 10 dogs.

An eight-year-old, 35 kg, female spayed Doberman Pincher dog was presented with peracute abdominal distention and severe abdominal pain associated with vomiting. Radiographs showed segmental gas and fluid-distended small intestines and loss of serosal detail. Abdominal ultrasound revealed segmental hypomotile, fluid distended small intestines and high amount of gas in the intestinal lumen. CT showed signs consistent with a segmental mesenteric torsion. Exploratory laparotomy and en bloc enterectomy of the torsioned necrotic segment of the jejunum (50 per cent approximately) was performed. The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery with some sporadic vomiting and diarrhoea, which resolved with medical treatment within a week.

No abstract

An 11-year-old, 22-kg, intact female crossbred dog presented with abdominal distention and marked chronic weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large mass (>20-cm diameter) in the mid-abdomen; its origin could not be determined. CT of the abdomen revealed three masses associated with the uterus. A 720° uterine rotation along its long axis was noted. An exploratory laparotomy and en bloc ovariohysterectomy of the twisted uterus was performed and the dog recovered uneventfully. Histopathology confirmed three leiomyosarcomas within the uterine tissue. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case describing a uterine torsion associated with a leiomyosarcoma in a dog and diagnosed by CT.