PMC9204227_01
Left, case 1: transverse CT image at the level of the C7 vertebral body. There is a large, irregular soft tissue attenuating mass in the left axilla (outlined) which extends dorsally (arrowheads) through the enlarged C6-C7 intervertebral foramen to enter the vertebral canal. Middle, case 2: transverse CT image at the level of the C7-T1 intervertebral formamina showing a large, irregular mass (asterisk in its center) in the left axilla, extending proximally (arrowheads) through the C7-T1 intervertebral foramina to enter the vertebral canal. Right, case 3: transverse T1 weighted post-contrast image at the level of the mid T1 vertebral body. The right C8 spinal nerve (arrowheads) is enlarged and irregular and shows mild, homogenous contrast uptake. The right side of the dog is on the left side of each image.
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PMC9204227_03_fvets-09-869082-g0001.jpg
F1
T1 nerve roots, spinal nerves, and brachial plexus were enlarged and irregularly marginated, were STIR hyperintense, mildly T2 hyperintense and T1 isointense compared to normal muscle, and showed mild contrast enhancement (Figure 1). The abnormal T1 spinal nerve was closely associated with the first rib.
Patient positioning prior to surgery. Both thoracic limbs are retracted caudally to allow the surgeon closer and more comfortable access. The dog is held securely to the table using tape and elasticated bandage, to prevent movement when the table is tilted. Sandbags (not visible in this image) are placed under the dog's cervical region to maintain the vertebral column in horizontal alignment. The yellow line shows how the initial incision is performed- dorsoventrally over the spine of the scapula and then in a circumflex manner around the limb.
fvets-09-869082-g0002.jpg
PMC9204227_01_fvets-09-869082-g0002.jpg
F2
An incision was made over the scapula and in a circumflex manner around the left thoracic limb (Figure 2).
Intraoperative image from case 2 showing a large ovoid axillary mass (circled) with extension (arrow) toward the C7-T1 intervertebral foramen. The star shows the medial aspect of the scapula. The forceps in the surgeon's right hand show the region of the osteotomised rib.
fvets-09-869082-g0003.jpg
PMC9204227_01_fvets-09-869082-g0003.jpg
F3
A combination of sharp and blunt dissection was performed around the mass (Figure 3).
PMC9204227_02
Left, case 1: transverse CT image at the level of the C7 vertebral body. There is a large, irregular soft tissue attenuating mass in the left axilla (outlined) which extends dorsally (arrowheads) through the enlarged C6-C7 intervertebral foramen to enter the vertebral canal. Middle, case 2: transverse CT image at the level of the C7-T1 intervertebral formamina showing a large, irregular mass (asterisk in its center) in the left axilla, extending proximally (arrowheads) through the C7-T1 intervertebral foramina to enter the vertebral canal. Right, case 3: transverse T1 weighted post-contrast image at the level of the mid T1 vertebral body. The right C8 spinal nerve (arrowheads) is enlarged and irregular and shows mild, homogenous contrast uptake. The right side of the dog is on the left side of each image.
fvets-09-869082-g0001.jpg
PMC9204227_03_fvets-09-869082-g0001.jpg
F1
T1 nerve roots, spinal nerves, and brachial plexus were enlarged and irregularly marginated, were STIR hyperintense, mildly T2 hyperintense and T1 isointense compared to normal muscle, and showed mild contrast enhancement (Figure 1). The abnormal T1 spinal nerve was closely associated with the first rib.
PMC9204227_03
Left, case 1: transverse CT image at the level of the C7 vertebral body. There is a large, irregular soft tissue attenuating mass in the left axilla (outlined) which extends dorsally (arrowheads) through the enlarged C6-C7 intervertebral foramen to enter the vertebral canal. Middle, case 2: transverse CT image at the level of the C7-T1 intervertebral formamina showing a large, irregular mass (asterisk in its center) in the left axilla, extending proximally (arrowheads) through the C7-T1 intervertebral foramina to enter the vertebral canal. Right, case 3: transverse T1 weighted post-contrast image at the level of the mid T1 vertebral body. The right C8 spinal nerve (arrowheads) is enlarged and irregular and shows mild, homogenous contrast uptake. The right side of the dog is on the left side of each image.
fvets-09-869082-g0001.jpg
PMC9204227_03_fvets-09-869082-g0001.jpg
F1
T1 nerve roots, spinal nerves, and brachial plexus were enlarged and irregularly marginated, were STIR hyperintense, mildly T2 hyperintense and T1 isointense compared to normal muscle, and showed mild contrast enhancement (Figure 1). The abnormal T1 spinal nerve was closely associated with the first rib.