A Retrospective Evaluation of 51 Cases of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in the Dog

Fifty-one cases of canine peripheral nerve sheath tumors were reviewed. Signalment, presenting clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, physical and neurological examination findings, results of diagnostic procedures, type of surgery performed, tumor location, relapse-free intervals and survival times, and causes of death were evaluated. Tumors were divided into three anatomical groups: tumors involving nerves distal to the brachial or lumbosacral plexus (Peripheral Group), tumors involving nerves of the brachial or lumbosacral plexus (Plexus Group), and tumors involving the vertebral canal (Root Group). The most common clinical findings were unilateral forelimb lameness and muscle atrophy. The most useful diagnostic tests were myelography and electromyography. Although there was no significant difference, dogs in the Root Group tended to have shorter relapse-free intervals and survival times than dogs in the Plexus Group. The overall prognosis for surgical management of peripheral nerve sheath tumors is guarded to poor.