

Objectives Feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs) are soft tissue tumours typically characterised by an interscapular location and highly infiltrative behaviour. CT is considered the modality of choice for FISS staging and double positioning (dynamic approach) was reported to successfully detect the exact extent of infiltration into the muscles. The aim of the present study was to investigate the utility of the dynamic approach in feline patients referred for preoperative staging of interscapular FISS. Methods Tumour volume estimates were compared between the ellipsoid and the semi-automated segmentation methods. Two radiologists blinded to the patient coding used images from each position to assess the extent of muscular infiltration. The distance between the neoplasm and the adjacent skeletal structures (scapulae, spinous processes) was recorded in both positions by a single radiologist. Results Fifty-nine of 84 neoplasms invaded the adjacent muscular structures, with up to 15 muscles infiltrated. Between the extended and flexed position the average estimated numbers of muscles infiltrated were 1.9 (extended) and 1.84 (flexed) for observer A and 1.89 (extended) and 1.85 (flexed) for observer B. Good agreement between observers was established, with higher tumour volumes detected via the ellipsoid method. Moreover, tumours with smaller volumes showed slightly decreased muscular infiltration. Marked difference in the recorded distance between the skeletal structures and the neoplasm in the two different positions was established (mean ± SD difference spinous processes: 9.74 ± 9.57 mm; mean ± SD difference scapulae: 15.15 ± 11.76 mm). Conclusions and relevance A dynamic approach should be used for a complete evaluation of the invasiveness of FISS along with appropriate methodology for tumour volume measurement, which could potentially alter the tomographic estimation of the real dimension of the neoplasms.
EPub: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2018 Jun;20(6):502-508
DOI: 10.1177/1098612×17717176
PMID: 28665170
AIRID: 2434/513037
Full Text: article.pdf
Authors: Longo Maurizio, Zani Davide Danilo, Ferrari Roberta, Bassi Jessica, Andreis Maria Elena, Stefanello Damiano, Giudice Chiara, Grieco Valeria, Liuti Tiziana, Handel Ian, Di Giancamillo Mauro.
Background New clinical oriented approaches are supported by the integration of advanced imaging techniques, e.g. computed tomography and magnetic resonance, with gross anatomy imaging. The interscapular region of the cat is a typical site of a highly invasive infiltrative pathology, i.e. Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma. Even if chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been considered as pre-surgical therapies, extensive surgery is still the recommended treatment. Evidence suggested that the relationships between muscles, infiltrative mass and adjacent musculoskeletal structures could change according to the forelimb positions: a fact to be duly considered while planning the surgical approach. Anatomic and tomographic atlases provide only images of the interscapular region from cats positioned with their forelimbs extended cranially, which means that, they do not record musculoskeletal modifications due to the forelimb movements. Aim of this study was to provide detailed images of the changes occurring in the musculoskeletal structures of the interscapular region of cats according to their forelimb position by comparing cross-sectional gross anatomy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Results We provide an atlas of normal cross-sectional anatomy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the interscapular region of the cat, from the fifth cervical vertebra to the fifth thoracic vertebra. We compare and couple the slices obtained both in flexed and extended forelimb positioning with the animal maintained in sternal recumbency. Conclusion This study shows a new and dynamic way to investigate the interscapular region of the cat and provides anatomical references for in vivo computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, considering changes in the muscular form according to the forelimb positioning. We believe that an in-depth anatomical knowledge of the interscapular region may be helpful to approach the study of any pathology located there and, in particular, to set up an appropriate therapy for the feline injection-site sarcoma.
EPub: BMC Veterinary Research 2015 Oct;11(1): 249
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0562-y
PMID: 26437937
PMCID: PMC4593221
RGID: 282618788
AIRID: 2434/324835
Full Text: article.pdf
Authors: Longo Maurizio, Modina Silvia Clotilde, Andrea Bellotti, Di Giancamillo Mauro.
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