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Background: For horses requiring prolonged daily cephalic intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP), the use of a totally implantable catheter (TIC) could be indicated to reduce complications associated with frequent venipuncture or external catheterization. This study aims to evaluate the implantation technique of the TIC in the cephalic vein of horses for IVRLP, describe the complications associated with the device's placement and use, and assess its viability up to 60 days after implantation. Totally implantable catheters, cut to 15 cm (n = 5) and 46 cm (n = 5) in length, were implanted into one cephalic vein in ten adult horses (n = 10). Twenty-four hours following placement, IVRLP with contrast was performed via the TIC and evaluated with radiography. Physical examinations, lameness evaluation, hematologic assessment, and the catheter patency tests were performed at scheduled intervals for the duration of catheterization (7-60 days)., Results: Catheters were implanted without difficulty and allowed for IVRLP 24 h post implantation. Complications resulted in removal of the catheters, with four maintained for 7 days, three in place for 15 days, and three catheters maintained for 60 days. Complications included lameness, limb swelling, catheter kinking, and venous thrombosis., Conclusions: The implantation technique of the TIC in the cephalic vein of horses is feasible and requires minimal technical effort. Although TIC allows venous access without the need for repeated venipuncture, its long-term use presents complications. For horses requiring prolonged daily cephalic IVRLP, the use of a TIC could be indicated. However, the high incidence of venous thrombosis may limit clinical application., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Treatment for horses with pythiosis of a limb is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the effects of administering amphotericin B in a 10 % solution of dimethylsulfoxide by intravenous regional limb perfusion (IRLP) to treat horses for cutaneous pythiosis of a limb., Results: All 15 of the horses treated had complete resolutions of their lesion between 6 to 9 weeks after a single IRLP treatment. No complications were observed at the site of venipuncture for IRLP. Before initiation of treatment, there was anemia and marked leucocytosis which resolved following treatment. Serum biochemistry showed no significant changes., Conclusions: IRLP administration of amphotericin B in a 10 % DMSO solution was easily performed, relatively inexpensive and an effective treatment for treating horses for pythiosis of a limb and resolved the infection with no complications.

Purpose: We performed a mono-institutional study for evaluating the biological data, such as p53, Ki67 and BRCA mutations, as well as clinical characteristics of pregnancy associated breast cancer (PABC), its therapeutic management and the prognosis in a small cohort of patients., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined 26 patients with PABC. Clinical and histopathological characteristics along with Ki67, p53 and BRCA mutations were analysed. Information about chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy was recovered. Data about long-term prognosis was registered and computed by Kaplan-Meier analysis., Results: Of 26 patients, 17 (65%) were considered as having a locally advanced breast cancer. The majority of them (65.4%) had a ductal invasive carcinoma. Oestrogen and progesterone receptors were positive in 13 (50%) patients, resulting both negative in four (15.4%) subjects. HER-2 was positive in 5 subjects (19.2%). Ten patients underwent conservative surgery treatment, and 14 were sent to radical mastectomy (38 vs. 54%) associated with axillary lymph node dissection in 18 cases. Many patients (65%) were further treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy. Eight out of 11 patients undergoing the evaluation of BRCA mutation were positive while only 2 out of 3 patients had a mutation of p53. After a median follow-up of 110 months (range: 8.2-1227 mo.), 18 women were still alive, six patients (25%) died and two were lost. Three patients showed a loco-regional recurrence, after a median period of 26 months (range: 2-42 mo.). Distant metastases verified in six patients after a median period of 12.5 months (range: 2-108 mo.). The prognosis was less favourable in BRCA mutated patients than no-BRCA mutated group, although not statistically significant., Conclusions: In women with PABC, the initial stage of disease is more advanced requiring more aggressive treatment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)