Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) as a modality to induce tumor necrosis within distal radial osteosarcoma (OSA).
Study design: Pilot study.
Animals: Six client-owned dogs with distal radius OSA confirmed by cytological examination.
Methods: Dogs underwent computed tomography for surgical planning before general anesthesia for fluoroscopy-guided ablation. Computed tomography was repeated 48 hours after MWA, before amputation. The ablated tumor was evaluated with histopathology.
Results: Six dogs underwent MWA of distal radius OSA. A lower power setting (30 W) was selected for the first two dogs to avoid collateral soft tissue damage. The power was increased to 75 W for the last four dogs. The temperature was maintained between 45°C and 55°C (113 °F-131 °F) at the bone/soft tissue interface. Tumor necrosis varied between 30% and 90% (median, 55%) according to histopathology. No intraoperative or periprocedural complications were observed.
Conclusion: Microwave ablation induced variable tumor necrosis and did not induce immediate postablation complications in these six dogs with distal radius OSA.
Clinical significance: These results justify further evaluation of MWA as a potential modality to treat primary bone lesions in dogs.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.