Shoulder: brachial plexus neoplasia in Dogs (Canis) | Vetlexicon
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Shoulder: brachial plexus neoplasia

ISSN 2398-2942


Introduction

  • Locally invasive.
  • Rarely metastatic.
  • Signs: occasional swinging limb lameness; pain on shoulder extension or axillary palpation; mass may be detectable; muscle atrophy; neurological deficits.
  • Treatment: forequarter amputation + removal of any intradural component via laminectomy.
  • Prognosis: very guarded.

Presenting signs

  • Mostly middle-aged individuals.
  • Intractable lameness for several weeks/months.
  • Weight-bearing/swinging limb lameness.
  • Muscle atrophy varies depending on nerve roots involved.
  • Pain on shoulder manipulation, especially extension.
  • Pain on axillary palpation.
  • Palpable mass.
  • Neurological deficits.

Age predisposition

  • Middle-aged or older.
  • Younger.

Breed/Species predisposition

  • Medium to large breeds.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • Usually primary tumors of the nerve.
  • Occasionally secondary tumors, eg osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma.

Pathophysiology

  • Locally invasive.
  • May cause spinal cord compression leading to neurological signs in hindlimbs.
  • Neurogenic atrophy of muscles may occur.
  • Often involves nerve root as it passes out from vertebral column.
  • Intradural/extramedullary lesions may be seen.
  • Pulmonary metastasis rare.

Timecourse

  • Several weeks or months.

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Prevention

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Outcomes

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers