Osteomyelitis & Osteosarcoma

Define osteomyelitis

Infection of the bone tissue (cortical bone or medullary cavity)

Why are osteosarcoma and osteomyelitis sometimes hard to distinguish?

- Both present acutely- Both have soft tissue swelling- Similar radiographic features (lysis & proliferation)

In which dogs is osteosarcoma more common?

Older dogs & large breeds

Does osteosarcoma metastasis?

Yes - ~15% pulmonary metastases at time of diagnosis

Where in long bones does osteosarcoma occur?

Metaphysis

Most common musculoskeletal tumour?

Osteosarcoma

Does osteosarcoma cause lameness?

Yes - can be acute or chronic:- often VERY painful- can present w pathological fracture

What in the history may point more towards osteomyelitis than osteosarcoma?

History of recent wound, trauma or infection

What may we find on physical exam of a dog with osteosarcoma?

- Bone pain- Crepitus- Palpably soft cortex - Swelling in metaphysis

What may we see on radiographs of osteosarcoma?

- Osteolysis & proliferation- Mottling- Periosteal reaction- Monostotic (one bone)- Indistinct border between normal & abnormal areas

Differentials for osteosarcoma? (6)

- Osteomyelitis- Other -sarcoma - Metastatic disease- Lymphoma- Multiple myeloma- Bone cyst

How to diagnose osteosarcoma?

- Radiography (limbs + thoracic for mets)- Lab: biochem (ALP), CBC, urinalysis- FNA or biopsy of bone lesion

Which is more accurate, FNA or biopsy of bone lesion for diagnosis of osteosarcoma?

Biopsy (but more technically challenging + risk of fracture)

What form of imaging can we use to highlight areas of high bone turnover when diagnosing / staging osteosarcoma?

Gamma scintigraphy

Treatment options for osteosarcoma?

- Analgesia as extremely painful- Biphosphonates (control bone turnover)- Amputation- Palliative radiation (slows bone turnover)

What is limb sparing surgery?

Removal of diseased portion of bone while preserving the limb

What does ITAP stand for?

Intraosseous endoprosthesis

Disadvantages of ITAP?

- Fracture risk- Infection- Failure of integration into bone / skin

Most common digit neoplasms in dogs? (4)

- SCC- Soft tissue sarc- MCT- Osteosarcoma

What % of digital masses are neoplasia?

60%

Treatment for digit neoplasia?

Amputation

Most common digit neoplasms in cats? (5)

- SCC- Fibrosarcoma- Adenocarcinoma- Osteosarcoma- Haemangiosarcoma

What is "lung-digit"?

Metastasis of 1* pulmonary mass -> digit in CATS

What radiographs to take of cats with digit neoplasia?

Thoracic (lung-digit!!) as well as paw

What is the next most common bone tumour after osteosarcoma?

Chondrosarcoma

How does metastatic rate differ between osteosarcoma & chondrosarcoma?

Much lower metastatic rate for chondrosarcomas

How to diagnose joint tumours?

- Imaging- Cytology (FNA / synovial fluid)- Biopsy + immunohistochemistry

How to differentiate between a bone & joint tumour on x-ray?

Bone tumours will not cross the joint - joint tumours will!

Name 2 primary neoplasms of the muscle

- Rhabdomyosarcoma- Haemangiosarcoma

How do primary muscle neoplams behave?

Like soft tissue sarcoma

Name 3 adipose neoplasms

- Benign lipoma- Infiltrative lipoma- Liposarcoma

Presentation of acute osteomyelitis?

- Systemic signs (pyrexia, leukocytosis)- Lameness- Swelling, pain on palpation+/- Draining sinus

Presentation of chronic osteomyelitis?

- Moderate, intermittent lameness- Pain - Often + draining sinus- Potential pathological fracture

How to diagnose osteomyelitis?

- Radiographs- FNA+/- Biopsy, C+S

Treatment for osteomyelitis?

- ABs (empirical Amoxiclav then based on C+S) for 6wks- Can give ABs locally (beads, sponges)- Remove structures maintaining biofilm e.g. implants & sequestra

Prognosis for osteomyelitis?

Variable but guarded (recurrence)