Disseminated intravascular coagulation following stereotactic radiotherapy of a nasal tumour in a Labrador retriever

Authors: Carey BL, Malikides N, Cook EK, Dill-Macky E, Morgan E
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 52, Issue 1, pp 12-20, Mar 2022
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Clinical examination
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

A 10-year-old, male, castrated Labrador retriever was presented to the Animal Referral Hospital for evaluation of a sinonasal mass causing facial deformity. Computed tomography (CT) and histopathological evaluation identified the presence of a large, primarily unilateral, sinonasal malignant neoplasm (suspected carcinoma), extending past the cribriform plate. The dog underwent a course of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), three fractions totalling 24 Gray (Gy) over three days. One month later, the dog was re-presented with epistaxis. A coagulation profile identified disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A repeat CT showed significant remission of the sinonasal mass. Despite medical treatment, the DIC persisted for 17 days, at which time the dog collapsed, suffered a respiratory arrest and was humanely euthanised (44 days after SRT).

The present case report documents that DIC may occur following SRT, and clinicians should be mindful of this possibility.

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