Percutaneous microwave ablation of solitary presumptive pulmonary metastases in two dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE To describe percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of presumptive pulmonary metastases and the outcome of two dogs. ANIMALS Two dogs with pulmonary lesions after treatment of spontaneously occurring appendicular osteosarcoma. STUDY DESIGN Preliminary prospective clinical study. METHODS Two large-breed dogs were referred from tertiary veterinary hospitals 146 and 217 days after limb amputation to pursue MWA as an alternative therapy to metastasectomy. Both dogs had been receiving chemotherapy protocols at their respective referral centers. RESULTS A novel percutaneous approach for MWA with ultrasonographic or computed tomographic (CT) guidance was successfully performed. The only complications consisted of pneumothoraxes, requiring treatment in one dog. In the weeks after their procedures, both dogs were reported to do well at home. Dog 1 died and dog 2 was euthanized 82 and 19 days, respectively, after their MWA of confirmed (dog 1) or presumed (dog 2) metastatic disease. CONCLUSION Percutaneous MWA of pulmonary nodules was technically feasible in two dogs without major complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Percutaneous MWA may provide a minimally invasive option for treatment of osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases. Additional studies are required to evaluate the benefits of MWA on survival and confirm histologic cell death within pulmonary neoplastic lesions.