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- Author or Editor: Russell Higbee x
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Abstract
Objective—To compare histologic artifacts caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) or 810-nm diode surgical lasers used to obtain small biopsy specimens of skin from healthy dogs.
Design—Prospective study.
Animals—4 dogs.
Procedure—21 skin biopsy specimens were collected from each dog. Three biopsy specimens were obtained with a CO2 or an 810-nm diode laser at 3 operating settings each, and 3 biopsy specimens were obtained with a 6-mm biopsy punch instrument (controls). After processing, biopsy specimens were examined for artifacts related to laser-tissue interactions. Microscopically visible char was measured from the lateral edge of each specimen obtained with a laser.
Results—There were no significant differences among mean char distances in biopsy specimens obtained with the CO2 laser at various settings. Mean char distance was significantly greater in all skin biopsy specimens obtained with the diode laser, compared with those obtained with the CO2 laser. Mean char distance was significantly greater in biopsy specimens obtained with the 810-nm diode laser at high power, compared with biopsy specimens obtained with the 810-nm diode laser at low power.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that the CO2 laser caused less thermal injury at margins of skin biopsy specimens; therefore, if a surgical laser is used for removal of cutaneous masses or to obtain skin biopsy specimens, use of the CO2 laser is recommended. Veterinarians performing a biopsy by using a surgical laser should be aware that laser-induced artifacts may render small biopsy specimens useless for providing accurate histologic diagnosis. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004;225:1562–1566)
Abstract
Objective—To determine outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease.
Design—Retrospective study.
Animals—277 dogs.
Procedure—Medical records of dogs with a history of thoracolumbar disk disease in which the 7 intervertebral disks from T10-11 through L3-4 were ablated with a holmium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser inserted through percutaneously placed needles were reviewed. Complications and episodes of a recurrence of neurologic signs (eg, paresis or paralysis) were recorded. Owners were contacted by telephone for follow-up information.
Results—Nine of 262 (3.4%) dogs for which followup information was available had a recurrence of paresis or paralysis. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 85 months (mean, 15 months); signs recurred between 3 and 52 months (mean, 15.1 months) after laser disk ablation. Acute complications occurred in 5 dogs and included mild pneumothorax in 1 dog, an abscess at a needle insertion site in 1 dog, and proprioceptive deficits in 3 dogs, 1 of which required hemilaminectomy within 1 week because of progression and severity of neurologic signs. One dog developed diskospondylitis.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation is associated with few complications and may reduce the risk of recurrence of signs of intervertebral disk disease in dogs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;222: 1733–1739)
