Prognostic significance of specific magnetic resonance imaging features in canine nasal tumours treated by radiotherapy

Abstract

In dogs with nasal tumours treated with radiotherapy, tumour extension into the cranium is not necessarily associated with shorter survival in patients without neurological signs at time of diagnosis. Although a definite influence of CNR involvement on case outcome could not be demonstrated, studies with a larger population are warranted.

Prospective Comparison of Tumor Staging Using Computed Tomography Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Dogs With Nasal Neoplasia: A Pilot Study

“…While CT is considered the standard of care for imaging of veterinary patients with nasal neoplasia, MRI has become increasingly important in evaluation of neoplasia of the head in humans . Previous reports have described MRI findings in association with nasal neoplasia in dogs, but there are few veterinary reports comparing MRI and CT assessments of nasal neoplasia . This study also provides information regarding interobserver differences and differences between imaging technologies that should prompt further investigation of these techniques, particularly with respect to the previously utilized tumor grading systems.…”

“…Disagreement was noted regarding meningeal enhancement, in which MRI evaluation was positive while CT was negative for enhancement in two dogs. The clinical significance of previous reports of meningeal enhancement at the level of the olfactory bulbs has not been defined due to lack of histologic data in comparison to MRI findings . Meningeal enhancement has previously been diagnosed in dogs in association with inflammatory and neoplastic lesions, and may be associated with peritumoral meningitis, edema, or extension of tumor tissue or secretions .…”

“…2,6,10,11 Anaplastic, squamous cell, and undifferentiated carcinoma are associated with a shorter survival time, and when histologic type is combined with staging prediction of survival is improved. 6,11 Radiation therapy is still a good treatment option for dogs with cribriform plate destruction, 12 but identification of cribriform involvement may exclude other treatment options.…”

Significant advances in veterinary oncology – 60 years on

“…MRI is also very useful for pretreatment assessment of soft tissue sarcomas and in the evaluation of intranasal tumours which often extend into the retrobulbar space, or through the cribriform plate into the frontal region of the brain. Meningeal hyperintensity of the olfactory bulbs and tumour extension into the caudal nasal recess are quite common features of intranasal tumours in dogs (Agthe et al 2009). MRI can be used for imaging primary tumours of the head and neck, spine, dorsum and pelvis but, because of the need for the area of interest to be motionless during acquisition of images, it is used less frequently for imaging lesions of the chest and abdomen in small animals.…”

“…Meningeal hyperintensity of the olfactory bulbs and tumour extension into the caudal nasal recess are quite common features of intranasal tumours in dogs (Agthe et al . ). MRI can be used for imaging primary tumours of the head and neck, spine, dorsum and pelvis but, because of the need for the area of interest to be motionless during acquisition of images, it is used less frequently for imaging lesions of the chest and abdomen in small animals.…”