ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4157-402X
Current Organisation
Colorado State University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-02-2023
DOI: 10.1111/EVJ.13931
Abstract: Pheochromocytomas have been previously reported in horses, but successful antemortem diagnosis and surgical removal without recurrence of clinical signs have not been described. To report the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, surgical technique, anaesthetic management and post‐operative care of a mare diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. Clinical case report. An 18‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare presented for recurrent episodes of colic, profuse sweating, muscle fasciculations and agitation over a 2‐month period. Clinical, clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic (transcutaneous, transrectal) abnormalities were consistent with a unilateral left‐sided adrenal mass. Surgical removal of the mass was performed via a trans‐costal approach with removal of the 18th rib and retraction of the left kidney to improve exposure. Associated vasculature was ligated, and the adrenal mass was removed and submitted for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A trans‐costal surgical approach provided excellent visualisation of the adrenal mass and allowed for identification and ligation of associated vessels. Total surgical and anaesthesia time were 86 and 114 min, respectively. Several intraoperative (hypertension, tachycardia) and post‐operative (colic with tachycardia, tachypnea, large colon pelvic flexure impaction and nasogastric reflux) complications were encountered and managed successfully. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positive labelling for synaptophysin and chromogranin A, confirming diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The mare had recovered well at 6‐week recheck post‐operatively and returned to training at 6 months post‐operatively. No further clinical signs consistent with pheochromocytoma have been observed following removal. The trans‐costal approach allowed for surgical removal of a pheochromocytoma in a mare. Surgical removal of adrenal masses in horses may be associated with complications yet was successfully performed without subsequent recurrence of clinical signs associated with tumour presence and return to athletic use in this mare.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-12-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EVJ.13387
Abstract: There is little consensus on factors associated with survival in foals with septic arthritis and limited data on long‐term racing performance of Thoroughbred foals treated for septic arthritis. A more thorough understanding of short‐ and long‐term outcome is necessary to help inform owners, and subsequently guide treatment. To investigate factors associated with survival, and to analyse racing performance of foals with septic arthritis compared with their maternal siblings. Retrospective cohort and a case‐control study. Veterinary clinical records of Thoroughbred foals ≤180 days old that underwent arthroscopic, cannulae or through‐and‐through needle lavage for the treatment of septic arthritis between 2009 and 2015 were reviewed. Data included signalment, and clinicopathological information. The dam's foaling records were reviewed and the lifetime racing records were obtained for affected foals and two of their maternal siblings. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with survival to discharge or racing. Comparisons between treated foals and their maternal siblings were made. Ninety (78%) of 115 foals diagnosed with septic arthritis were discharged alive. Foals days old at the time of admission were five times less likely ( P = .003) and foals with concurrent multisystemic disease were six times less likely ( P = .02) to be discharged alive. Sixty (67%) foals discharged alive started in ≥1 race, and there was no difference in the proportion of foals that started in a race or racing performance between foals treated for septic arthritis and their maternal siblings. Retrospective study design, limited number of foals with multiple joint involvement and failure to accurately record duration of clinical signs. Foals treated for septic arthritis at the Scone Equine Hospital, New South Wales, Australia had a good prognosis for survival, and for this cohort, foals that survived to discharge had a similar ability to race as their maternal siblings.
No related grants have been discovered for Thomas O'Brien.