JOURNAL SCAN
Efficacy of Radiation Therapy for the
Treatment of Sialocoele in Dogs
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2018, 32:107-110. VJ Poirier et al
Summarised by Dr L.L. van der Merwe
Why they did it
A sialocoele is a collection of saliva which has leaked from
a damaged salivary gland or duct and is surrounded by
granulation tissue. Surgery is the treatment of choice for
sialocoeles and complete surgical excision is required for
resolution. Between 5 – 14% of cases are recurrent.
In humans receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck
for tumour treatment, the salivary glands have been shown
to be very sensitive to even moderate doses of radiation.
Functional impairment of the glands correlated to dose of
radiation used and volume of salivary parenchyma exposed.
Clinically xerostomia has been reported with as little as 2-3
fractions of 2 Gray (Gy) and doses of >30 Gy caused
permanent xerostomia.
No acute toxicity was reported. Late toxicity occurred
rarely, and was only a mild alopecia over the region.
Take Home Message:
Although the study was limited by a small case
number as well as its retrospective nature (alterations
in treatment protocols among the patients as
information was gained) the efficacy of radiotherapy
for recurrent sialocoele was demonstrated and a
minimum starting dose of 16 – 20 Gy appeared to be
a reliable starting point for treatment .
The hypothesis was that a relatively low dose of
radiation would be useful for the treatment of
recurrent sialocoele.
What They Did:
A retrospective cohort study was performed with
11 dogs eligible for inclusion in the study. The
radiotherapy dose consisted of 4-5 fractions of
4 Gy for a total dose of 12 – 20 Gy given in 1 – 3
fractions per week. Total administration time ranged
between 7 – 22 days. Treatment margins were set
at a minimum of 1 -2 cm from the border of the
sialocoele. Physical examination was performed 2
weeks after radiotherapy and then every 3 months
thereafter.
What They Found
Of the 11 dogs, nine had had previous surgery to
the sialocoele, with a median of 2 surgeries. Loss to
follow up was at 6 – 43 months with a median of 17
months.
Three of the 11 dogs (27%) had recurrence of the
sialocoele at 2, 3 and 9 months post radiotherapy.
All three had originally received a dose of 12 Gy.
Two were treated with an additional two treatments
and one had partial response (decrease in in longest
diameter) and another showed complete response .
All of the dogs which received a minimum of 16 –
20 Gy did not have recurrence of the sialocoele.
The median time to progression of disease was not
reached and a 70% 1-, 2- and 3 years progression
free survival was observed.
The Scalpel you need in your KIT to cut out DEBT!!
UTD is a TWO part System
1. Prescreening of client to determine their repayment status
e.g. Listed / Not Listed
2. Debt Reclamation of:
2.1 New Debt : debt outstanding for 30 days —includes
new clients who consent to signing new client registration forms
2.2 Existing Debt : current outstanding debt from 120 days and
below
UTD is based on the Vet/Para-veterinary
Act Article 4.3 c “Professional care”
Legalities
This clause gives you the right as a vet to refuse service based
upon “History of non-payment”
UTD complies with the Vet/Para-veterinary Act Article 4.3 d “Confidentiality”
This clause is synergistic with the POPI (Protection of personal information)
act and protects the practice with regards to the “sharing” of privileged
information.
This product empowers you with the knowledge
to independently reclaim your own debt
Sign Up Fee of R500
MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION : R400
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: R 4440 p.a.
Save R360 per year
2017 Year End SPECIAL
MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION
R370
Phone: 082 558 4369
Email: [email protected]
Pieter de Bruyn
CREDIT/ DEBIT CARD or EFT payment options available
Issue 01 | MARCH 2018 | 7
Web: www.umbrellathorn.co.za