Combined forequarter amputation and hemilaminectomy for treatment of canine peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the brachial plexus invading the spinal canal: Surgical technique and outcome in nine dogs

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the surgical technique and outcome of a combined forequarter amputation and hemilaminectomy (FAHL) for excision of canine peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) of the brachial plexus extending into the vertebral canal. Study design: Retrospective case series. Animals: Nine client-owned dogs. Methods: Dogs which underwent FAHL for resection of a brachial plexus PNST extending into the vertebral canal were included. Data from medical records including signalment, clinical findings, MRI data, histopathology reports, interval between appearance of the clinical signs and surgical intervention, affected spinal nerves and nerve roots, time to ambulate postoperatively, survival time, tumor grade and completeness of surgical margins were collected. Results: In seven of nine cases the PNST affected the eighth cervical nerve root. Five of the nine cases were ambulatory within the first 3 days postoperatively and in one case unassisted ambulation was delayed and achieved 28 days postoperatively. The median survival time was calculated to be 317 days and the mean 522 days (range 120-1620 days). Four of nine dogs were euthanized 120, 270, 306 and 317 days postoperatively, because of suspected tumor recurrence. In one of those four cases the histological margins were reported as complete. Conclusion: FAHL appeared to be a reliable technique for excision of PNSTs of the brachial plexus invading the spinal canal, with similar outcomes to previously reported for PNSTs not extending into the vertebral canal.