Use of 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Imaging Surgery in the Treatment of a Gastric Tumor in a Dog.

A 13-year-old Maltese dog with an abdominal mass underwent 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) for tumor localization and metastatic evaluation. PET/CT scans revealed a gastric mass near the esophagogastric junction and demonstrated mean and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) of 4.596 and 6.234, respectively, for the abdominal mass. Subsequent surgery incorporated ICG for NIR fluorescence-guided imaging, aiding in precise tumor localization and margin assessment. The excised mass was identified as a low-grade leiomyosarcoma on histopathology. The dog underwent PET/CT imaging six months postoperatively following the excision of the mass, which confirmed the absence of recurrence or residual lesions during follow-up. NIR fluorescence imaging using ICG demonstrated efficacy in real-time tumor visualization and margin assessment, a technique not previously reported in veterinary literature. The PET/CT findings complemented the diagnosis and provided valuable insights into metastasis. The absence of recurrence or complications in postoperative follow-up underscores the potential of these imaging modalities in enhancing surgical precision and improving prognosis in canine gastric tumors.