Mobile and tablet apps, ubiquitous and pervasive computing, wearable computing and domotics for health.

Canine prostate cancer is a relatively rare condition with a poor prognosis. Both total and partial prostatectomy have been described as treatment strategics for this condition. Based on the available literature, it is clear that prostatectomy is usually employed in combination with other therapeutic strategies. However, it is apparent that the procedure is currently not suitable for curative intent. Its role as a palliative therapy has been better established. Among others, urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections were reported as important complications. The reported frequencies varied per study. Future research is needed to establish the role of prostatectomy in the treatment of canine prostate cancer. Based on the current lack of prospective studies, it is difficult to state whether prostatectomy should become a routine practice or first-line standard of care. Novel protocols for treating canine prostate cancer should be established.

Mobile and tablet apps, ubiquitous and pervasive computing, wearable computing and domotics for health.

Injection site sarcomas (ISS) are tumours of tissues of mesenchymal origin that occur at an injection site. These tumours have been mainly described in cats as Feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS), but suspected cases have also been described in other species such as dogs. In other species than the domestic cat, these tumours are however much rarer. As a result, the body of literature is limited. This review aims to summarize the knowledge regarding ISS in species other than the domestic cat. In general, it seems that ISS can occur in a wide range of animals and that similar treatment strategies are employed as in cats. Like in cats, it seems that the benefit of the reasons for injection (such as vaccination and microchip implantation) could outweigh the risk of ISS development in other species.

Supernumerary ribs are congenital anomalies that can occur in all areas of the vertebral column. Sacrococcygeal ribs, arising from the most caudal part of the vertebral column, are the rarest type of supernumerary ribs. They were described as early as 1960, with new reports being published every few years. Brief literature overviews were sometimes included with case reports. However, until now, no comprehensive reviews with reported search strategies have been published. The purpose of the study was to present a comprehensive review on the subject. A proposal for a clear definition of these entities is made. Where relevant, comparisons with other types of supernumerary ribs are made. An overview of supernumerary ribs in other mammals is presented. Materials and methods. A search of the Medline and Web of Science Core Collection databases was performed with several relevant keywords. The Google search engine was utilized to identify relevant literature. The references of the publications identified with the former methods were also searched. The publications were sorted according to whether they fit the definition of sacrococcygeal ribs put forward above or were called sacrococcygeal ribs but did not fit the definition. To avoid missing any relevant literature, all literature mentioning sacrococcygeal ribs regardless of the definition used were included. Additionally, literature about pelvic digits that would fit the definition was also included. Papers were excluded if they could not be sourced or did not mention sacrococcygeal ribs (any definition) or pelvic digits fitting the definition. Results and discussion. Sacrococcygeal ribs seems to occur equally often in men and women, since both accounted for half of the twelve cases identified that fit the definition. On average, they are diagnosed at 29.91 years of age, but this varied widely (from 3 to 64). This variation is to be expected, since the entities are usually discovered by accident and are present since birth. Although they are very rare, no further information about risk factors was identified. Most of the patients in the case reports did not suffer from symptoms relating to their sacrococcygeal ribs. However, some authors mention that the ribs might pose obstetrical problems during childbirth. This can be expected to be dependent on the exact size and anatomical location of the rib in question and may vary between patients. Due to the lack of symptoms that are associated with sacrococcygeal ribs, an underdetection could however be present. Therefore, further research is needed to more specifically assess the prevalence. This limited body of evidence makes it difficult to make sound conclusions about the epidemiology of these entities. Conclusion. Based on the current body of evidence, it is difficult to make sound conclusions about the condition. It is however very clear that the anomaly is very rare and that complications are relatively rare