Tetiana Tymchuk, Mike Targett, Ester Blasco Ortega, Rosa Maria Rabanal Prados, Martí Batlle Pumarola, Shirley Van Lelyveld, Sergio A. Gomes
Background
Telangiectatic osteosarcomas (TOSAs) are a rare and aggressive histological subtype of osteosarcoma (OSA) in dogs, comprising 8–10% of all OSAs. While OSAs typically affect appendicular bones, axial cases are less frequent and vertebral TOSAs are exceedingly rare, with only two prior reports—both diagnosed postmortem. This report presents the first case with MRI and CT imaging, surgical intervention, and histopathological confirmation of a vertebral TOSA in a dog.
Methods
A 5-year-old female Staffordshire Bull Terrier with progressive hind limb paraplegia underwent full-body non-contrast CT and thoracolumbar MRI. Imaging revealed an osteolytic lesion of the T9 vertebra and a dorsal extradural mass compressing the spinal cord. The mass was surgically resected via hemilaminectomy. Histopathological analysis of the excised tissue confirmed telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Postoperative chemotherapy (carboplatin) was initiated but discontinued after a single dose due to adverse effects.
Results
CT showed a well-defined osteolytic lesion without periosteal proliferation. MRI revealed a 37×6 mm hyperintense extradural mass on T2-weighted images and hypointense on T1, with strong contrast enhancement and >50% spinal cord compression. Histopathology demonstrated two growth patterns: a solid, osteoid-producing malignant mesenchymal component, and blood-filled spaces lined by neoplastic cells with hemorrhagic foci. Despite initial improvement post-surgery, the dog experienced acute deterioration five weeks later and was euthanized.
Limitations
As a single-case report, generalizability is limited. Margin status could not be fully evaluated due to vertebral invasion. Only one dose of chemotherapy was administered, limiting assessment of potential treatment efficacy. Gradient echo MRI sequences, which could better identify hemorrhagic components, were unavailable. Lack of long-term follow-up precluded survival analysis.
Conclusions
This is the first documented case of vertebral TOSA in a dog with detailed CT and MRI findings, surgical resection, and histopathological confirmation. The prognosis remains poor, with rapid clinical decline despite aggressive intervention. Imaging features such as osteolysis on CT and T2 hyperintensity with contrast enhancement on MRI can guide suspicion, but histology remains essential for diagnosis. More research is needed to establish effective treatment protocols and assess long-term outcomes in canine vertebral TOSAs.
MRI and CT images covering the T6–T12 vertebrae. MRI sagittal T2W (A), sagittal reconstruction T1-based BSSFP sequence precontrast
(B) and postcontrast (C). MRI transverse T2W (D), transverse reconstruction T1-based BSSFP precontrast (E) and postcontrast (F), transverse
fluid attenuation inversion recovery (G) dorsal STIR (H) demonstrate a large (length 37 mm 3 width 6 mm), well-defined, well-demarcated dorsal
extradural mass overlying the spinal cord over the T8–T10 vertebral bodies. The lesion was hyperintense on T2W and STIR images, compared
with the spinal cord, and hypointense on T1W images and presented severe homogeneous contrast enhancement (arrowheads). The mass extended
into the overlying vertebra (left dorsal lamina). There was severe (.50%) dorsal spinal cord compression at that level. CT in the sagittal (D), transverse
(J) planes using a bone algorithm centered at the level of T9. A well-defined, focal, osteolytic lesion centered at the left vertebral lamina as
it meets the spinous process of T9 with destruction of both limiting cortical and cancellous bone (arrowheads). BSSFP, balanced steady-state free
precession sequence; CT, computed tomography; STIR, short TI inversion recovery; T1W, T1-weighted; T2W, T2-weighted.
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