Coxofemoral arthroscopy and total hip arthroplasty for management of intermediate grade fibrosarcoma in a dog.

OBJECTIVE

To report the use of arthroscopy and total hip arthroplasty (THA) for management of intermediate grade fibrosarcoma of the femoral head in a dog.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical case report.

ANIMAL

A 6-year-old spayed female Rottweiler presented for evaluation of acute-onset of lameness of the right pelvic limb of approximately 10 days duration.

METHODS

Coxofemoral arthroscopy was performed to obtain fine needle aspiration and Jamshidi biopsy of a lytic lesion of the femoral head. A cemented THA was performed removing as much of the femoral neck and proximal femur as possible while not compromising implant or joint stability.

RESULTS

Histologic evaluation of specimens from the femoral head and neck remnants confirmed an intermediate grade fibrosarcoma. Fifteen months after THA, subjectively there was normal use of the right limb with only limited decrease in range of motion and mild muscular atrophy. Radiographs demonstrated stationary positioning of the THA implants.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopy of the coxofemoral joint is an effective diagnostic tool for evaluation of disease of the articular structures and canine total hip replacement may be an appropriate means of limb salvage in rare cases of disease of the femoral head.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This case provides support for the use of coxofemoral arthroscopy as a diagnostic tool as well as an aid in acquiring representative intraarticular tissue samples. Additionally, the case presented demonstrates the potential use of THA as a limb sparing technique in cases of disease affecting the femoral head of dogs.