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Biomedical subjects

A Dessiris

Publications and source records attributed to A Dessiris.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Histological grading and prognosis in dogs with mammary carcinomas: application of a human grading method.

The human "Elston and Ellis grading method" was used in dogs with mammary carcinoma to examine its relation to prognosis in this species, based on a 2-year follow-up period. Of the 85 cases examined, 27(31.8%) had well-differentiated (grade I), 28 (32.9%) had moderately differentiated (grade II) and 30 (35.3%) had poorly differentiated (grade III) carcinomas. Two years after mastectomy, significant differences in survival between cases with different tumour grade were found; thus, survival was worse in dogs with grade III carcinomas than in those with grade II (P<0.05) or grade I (P<0.001) tumours. However, in dogs with simple carcinomas which had a less favourable prognosis than that of other carcinomas (P<0.001), there was no significant difference in survival between grade II and grade III cases (P=0.878), both having a very poor prognosis. Undifferentiated (grade III) carcinoma cases had a 21-fold increased risk of death as compared with differentiated (grade I and II) carcinoma cases. An increased risk (about 10-fold) was also associated with undifferentiated simple carcinomas as compared with differentiated ones. The predictive value of histological grade was not influenced by tumour size or age of the dog at mastectomy; nodal metastasis, however, worsened the prognosis (P<0.001). Routine use of this human grading method would help the clinician to make a more accurate prognosis in the interests of post-surgical management in dogs with mammary carcinomas.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A clinical study of plasminogen activator activity in gingival tissue in dogs with gingivitis and periodontitis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasminogen activator activity (PAA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen level and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen in normal canine gingival tissue samples, gingivitis as well as in different stages of periodontal disease. Gingival tissue from 141 adult dogs were analysed spectrophotometrically in order to determine PAA. The tissues were also examined histopathologically. The Sulcus Bleeding Index was used to evaluate the active and inactive phase of periodontal disease. T-PA antigen as well as PAI-1 antigen level was measured by ELISA. There was a significant increase of PAA and t-PA antigen in samples from inflamed gingival tissue compared with normal gingival tissue, while PAI-1 antigen was not detected in either normal or inflamed gingiva. As the severity of periodontal disease was increasing, PAA and t-PA antigen values were significantly higher in periodontitis tissue sample groups, according to the pattern: gingivitis moderate bleeding>slight bleeding, P<0.001). In conclusion, this study indicates that PAA and t-PA antigen level may be used to evaluate the evolution of periodontal disease in dog.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Duration and severity of clinical signs as prognostic indicators in 30 dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease after surgical decompression.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the duration and severity of neurological dysfunction as prognostic indicators for the final outcome in 30 dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease, treated surgically with hemilaminectomy without concurrent prophylactic fenestration. The lesion localization was assessed comparing plain radiographic, myelographic and surgical findings and success rates were evaluated during case follow-up. Evidence of a single disk extrusion existed in 17 dogs on survey spinal radiographs, while myelography revealed definite spinal cord compression in 28 cases and was inconclusive in the remaining two cases. Case follow-up continued for a period ranging from 3 months to 2 years post-operatively, depending on the degree of neurological dysfunction on presentation and owner compliance. The severity of clinical signs and the interval elapsing prior to decompressive surgery did not correlate with the case outcome, with 12 of 20 dogs (60%) that exhibited the most pronounced neurological dysfunction (paraplegia with or without analgesia) regaining voluntary motor function during the follow-up period. Recurrences proven to be disk-related did not occur in any dog throughout the post-surgical observation period. It was concluded that the time elapsing from loss of motor function and the severity of clinical signs is not an objective method to predict the case outcome.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity with the healing process of long bone fractures in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Bone healing is monitored mainly by physical and serial radiologic examinations of the fracture site. However, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish a delayed union from a nonunion, and advanced imaging techniques may not be available. Serum biochemical markers of bone formation, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, may be clinically useful in evaluating the progress of healing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate serial values of serum ALP activity with the process of fracture healing in dogs and to assess its potential as a postsurgical prognostic indicator. METHODS: Changes in serum ALP activity were studied in 83 dogs with closed long bone diaphyseal fractures treated surgically. Physical and radiologic examinations of the fracture site and determination of serum ALP activity and calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) concentrations were performed on admission (day 0); postoperatively on days 10, 20, and 30; and subsequently on a monthly basis until bone union was completed or signs of nonunion were evident. The dogs were allocated into 3 groups with respect to the fracture healing progress as documented by physical and serial radiologic examination. RESULTS: Group A dogs (n=35) developed a medium-sized callus that led to bone union within 2 months. Group B dogs (n=36) had a hypertrophic callus and delayed union, within 3-5 months. Group C dogs (n=12) had slow progress in fracture healing, with minimal callus formation during a 2-month period. Changes in mean serum ALP activity followed the same pattern in groups A and B, reaching a maximum level on day 10. Group A values returned to normal within 2 months, at which point bone union was complete, whereas group B values remained increased and returned to normal within 3-5 months, thus correlating with delayed union. In Group C, mean serum ALP activities showed no significant changes during the 2-month follow-up period, consistent with failure of bone union (nonunion). Serum P and Ca changes followed a proportional and inverse pattern to ALP changes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serial determination of serum ALP activity during fracture healing could be an additional tool in predicting fractures at risk of developing a nonunion, helping the clinician to choose the appropriate intervention.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2003

Surgical treatment of gastric impaction in farmed ostriches.

Partial or complete impaction of the proventriculus and/or the ventriculus is usually seen in juvenile ostriches. Common impaction materials include stones, sand, hay stems and leaves, and even plastic and metallic objects. Six live ostriches showing signs of impaction and three dead ones suspected to have impacted stomachs were presented to the Department of Clinical Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The birds manifested anorexia, whitish and decreased urine output, scant defecation, unwillingness to rise and consume water. Clinical examination revealed distended and firm proventriculi, while radiographs showed foreign objects in the proventriculi of all birds and the ventriculus of one of them. The living birds were successfully treated surgically and medically. Autopsy of the three dead ostriches revealed severe dehydration and impaction of the stomachs. Bacteriological and parasitological examination was negative. Amendments in management practices were important to minimize losses caused by impaction of the stomachs in ostriches, while proventriculotomy remains the most effective approach to the problem.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Adjuvant post-operative chemotherapy in bitches with mammary cancer.

The survival time in a group of eight bitches with malignant mammary tumours given adjuvant post-operative chemotherapy was compared with survival in another group of eight bitches with mammary cancer which were treated by surgical excision alone. The same surgical procedure was used in both groups. All bitches had stage III disease according to the World Health Organization clinical staging system. Histologically, 10 of the bitches had complex carcinomas (carcinomatous mixed tumours), the remaining six bitches had carcinosarcomas. The chemotherapeutic protocol used was a combination of 5-fluorouracil (150 mg/m2 of body surface area) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2) given on the same day, intravenously, every week for four consecutive weeks. Chemotherapy was started one week post-surgery. Selected haematological parameters (packed cell volume, white blood cell count, platelet count and differential white blood cell count) and serum biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) were measured before and during chemotherapy. Survival analysis indicated that the chemotherapeutic regimen had a positive influence on the disease-free interval and the survival time of the eight bitches (P < 0.05). Although leucocyte numbers were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) during chemotherapy, the mean leucocyte counts remained within normal limits. Temporary leukopenia was noted only in one bitch. Packed cell volume and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly (P < 0.05) but within normal limits. Creatinine was also increased significantly (P < 0.01) but the mean creatinine concentrations were within normal limits, although in half of the bitches the concentrations occasionally rose above normal.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Surgical treatment of coenurosis (gid) in sheep.

During the past six years 623 cases of coenurosis (gid) in sheep have been treated surgically. Cysts were removed successfully from 573 of them (92 per cent) and 517 (83 per cent) were able to return to their flocks, although 36 showed no clinical improvement In 37 cases, the cyst could not be localised, and postmortem examinations showed that in nine cases the cyst was in the brainstem, and in 28 cases it was in the cerebellum. Fifty-six cases deteriorated gradually after surgery and in these cases more than one cyst was found postmortem. Thirteen cases died during surgery.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Absence of postmyelographic adverse effects and high radiographic resolution of iotrolan used in the cervical myelography for the clinically normal cat: an open-placebo controlled study.

Iotrolan solution at 300 mgI/ml (Isovist 300, Schering AG), was injected into the cerebromedullary cistern in 8 cats (Isovist group), at a volume of 0.5 ml/Kg BW and over one minute. In 3 cats (control group), normal saline was also injected at a same volume and speed. During the subarachnoid injection and at 1, 5 and 10 min thereafter all the cats were being monitored for evidence of respiratory arrest, bradycardia or changes in the arterial blood pressure. The cats were also checked for postmyelographic adverse effects for at least 3 h after their complete recovery from anaesthesia. Postmyelographic neurologic examination was done for 3 consecutive days and the myelographic quality of the films taken at 5 and 15 min postinjection was evaluated. No significant differences were detected between the Isovist and the control groups for all the variables evaluated immediately before, during and up to 3 days after the injection. No actual post-myelographic adverse effects were seen in the animals of both groups. At 15 and 30 min postinjection the opacity, the distention of the subarachnoid space and the detail of all the myelograms obtained were assessed as highly diagnostic.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The lymph drainage of the mammary glands in the bitch: a lymphographic study. Part I: The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th mammary glands.

The objective of this paper was to study the lymph drainage of the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th mammary glands in the bitch using indirect lymphography. The main conclusions drawn after the study of 67 normal lactating mongrel bitches were as follows: lymph drains from the first gland, usually to the axillary nodes, and, in few cases, to the axillary and superficial cervical nodes simultaneously. The second gland drains to the axillary nodes. The fourth gland usually drains to the superficial inguinal nodes, but it may, rarely, drain to the superficial inguinal and medial iliac nodes simultaneously. The fifth gland drains to the superficial inguinal nodes. Lymphatic connection between the mammary glands could not be demonstrated. Furthermore, it was confirmed that lymph can pass from one gland to another, through their common regional lymph nodes, by retrograde flow. It was demonstrated that there is a connection between the superficial inguinal lymph nodes from either side. It is suggested that lymphatic connection between the axillary and sternal nodes and between the axillary and bronchial nodes should be possible in some cases. Lymphatics of the mammary glands that cross the midline were not demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The lymph drainage of the mammary glands in the Bitch: a lymphographic study. Part II: The 3rd mammary gland.

The objective of this investigation was to study the lymph drainage of the 3rd mammary gland in the bitch using indirect lymphography. The main conclusions drawn after the study of 62 normal lactating mongrel bitches were as follows: lymph usually drains from the third gland to the axillary and superficial inguinal nodes simultaneously, but in some cases it drains only cranially to the axillary nodes. It may, rarely, drain only caudally to the superficial inguinal nodes. A lymphatic connection between the mammary glands could not be demonstrated. It was demonstrated that there is a connection between the superficial inguinal lymph nodes on either side. It is suggested that lymphatic connection between the axillary and sternal nodes and the axillary nodes of both sides should be possible in some cases. Lymphatics of the mammary glands that cross the midline were not demonstrated. No relationship between the number of lymph nodes and the body size of the dog could be demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Synovial sarcoma in a dog.

Synovial sarcoma is an uncommon malignant tumour of mesenchymal origin, occurring mainly in the vicinity of a joint. Subsequent invasion of the joint and adjacent bones may occur. Less frequently the tumour may be localized in soft tissues remote from joints. Synovial sarcoma usually affects male middle-aged dogs of large breeds. The rate of tumour growth can vary from very slow to very rapid. The tumour is usually poorly defined and infiltrates the deeper structures. Metastasis and recurrence are common. Wide-field surgical excision of the tumour or amputation of the affected limb are the most frequently used forms of treatment. In the present case the dog, a 7-year-old male Alsatian, had a slowly growing tumour in the vicinity of the hip joint, bilaterally. There was no involvement of the bones surrounding the tumour. Surgical resection was performed and one year later the dog was reported to be normal.

Animals↗