Osteosarcoma at the site of titanium orthopaedic implants in a dog

Abstract

An Alaskan Malamute underwent unilateral tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) surgery to stabilise a stifle joint with a deficient cranial cruciate ligament. The dog made an excellent recovery with no postoperative complications, until 20 months post-surgery when he presented with acute onset ipsilateral pelvic limb lameness. Osteosarcoma (OSA) was diagnosed adjacent to the titanium implants. Currently, there is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of OSA adjacent to orthopaedic implants in canine patients. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings of this case of periprosthetic OSA, and a potential causal relationship between titanium implants and bone neoplasia, are discussed.

Risk of Osteosarcoma in Dogs After Open Fracture Fixation

“…Although metal implants are composed of materials that are considered inert in this setting, wear particles are recognized to incite an inflammatory response . Current implant composition of stainless steel or titanium makes them less vulnerable to corrosion; however, cases of implant‐associated osteosarcoma after stabilization of tibial osteotomies with these materials have also been reported …”

“…Osteosarcoma has been reported in dogs after fracture repair, as well as elective orthopedic surgery, including total hip replacement, tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, and tibial tuberosity advancement . In these cases, atypical diaphyseal tumor location adjacent to implants has been considered suggestive of tumor induction, potentially resulting from the initial trauma, the procedure itself, or reaction to the implants .…”

Rhabdomyosarcoma associated with the lead wire of a pacemaker generator implant

“…Implant‐associated and foreign material‐associated sarcomas are reported infrequently in the dog and are most commonly reported following the implantation of orthopedic hardware . The present case report is the first describing a rhabdomyosarcoma associated with a pacemaker lead wire in a dog.…”

Metastatic Osteolytic Angioleiomyosarcoma Induced by a Foreign Body in a Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

“…This is thought to be due to the formation of an iron‐containing layer which prevents in vivo degradation, reducing tissue metal concentrations over time . In domestic animals, a residual steel staple in a cat was associated with subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma and titanium orthopaedic implants were associated with osteosarcoma in a dog . Although the composition of the metal arrowhead‐shaped object in this particular case is unknown, metal arrowheads often contain iron alloyed with nickel, cobalt or other elements.…”