Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Nasal Carcinoma with Cribriform Plate Destruction in Three Dogs: A Serial CT Study

Abstract

Three dogs were referred with epistaxis and facial deformity. Computed tomography (CT) scan identified masses in the bilateral nasal cavity with soft tissue attenuation and contrast enhancement. These masses had caused adja-cent bones lysis, especially lysis of cribriform plate that extended to the intracra-nial region. Base on histopathology and CT imaging results, tumors were diagnosed as nasal carcinomas at stage 4. Three dogs were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). These dogs received 30-35 Gy from 3-5 daily treatments (7-10 Gy per treatment). The sizes of tumors decreased the most on follow-up CT images at one month after treatment. Recurrence was confirmed between 3 and 5 months after completing SRT. The survival time of dogs treated with SRT were 110, 190, and 210 days, respectively. This study confirmed that SRT could treat canine nasal carcinomas with cribriform plate lysis without causing serious radiation toxicities. Follow-up CT examination is considered at 1 month and 3 to 6 months after SRT to accurately evaluate the prognosis and the timing of recur-rence. © The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics.