A case of polyostotic osteosarcoma with kidney metastases in a dog: Histopathology and microcomputed tomographic analysis

Abstract

A 7-year- old sexually intact female Leonberg dog was evaluated for chronic lameness of the right forelimb. The bitch showed mild hyperthermia (39.3°C), a decrease in its activity, a capricious appetite, a high weight loss (4 kg in 15 days) and a right foreleg lameness. A careful clinical examination revealed a deformation of the right proximal humerus and right tibia. Radiographic examination of the right tibia, right humerus showed osteolysis of both cortical and trabecular bone with a periosteal bone proliferation in the vicinal soft tissues. The owner having refused a bone biopsy, a treatment with NSAIDs and antibiotics was prescribed. After a marked improvement during the first two weeks, an increase in lameness and activity was observed. At that time, the owner accepted the bone biopsy. Histopathologic examination evidenced an osteosarcoma but the amount of available tissue was limited. Due to the poor prognosis, he declined treatment and decided to euthanize the dog. An osteosarcoma with a large chondroid component was observed at autopsy together with ossifying kidney metastases. Histological findings revealed a grade III osteosarcoma. Conventional and undecalcified histology and X-ray microcomputed tomography findings evidenced a large and partially mineralized osteoid part with a sunburst extension in the soft tissues. This is the first time that microCT and undecalcified analyses of an osteosarcoma are presented. The osteolytic and metaplastic bone foci were easily demonstrated by this method.