Page 3318 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

P. 3318

Consent to Perform Fine-Needle Aspiration of Masses

VetBooks.ir Patient name:_________________________________
Pet owner’s name:_____________________________ Med rec #____________
Best contact during/after procedure (e.g., cell phone number):____________________

INTRODUCTION “reversed” by giving other medications to counter the sedative effect,
We want to make sure that you understand the planned medical allowing your pet to “wake up” more quickly after the procedure
procedure to be performed on your pet. You should know why the has been completed.
procedure has been suggested, what the potential benefits are for
your pet, and the most common/important risks of the procedure. FORESEEABLE RISKS TO THE PROCEDURE
Alternatives to this procedure, when applicable, will be discussed Complications associated with the aspiration of masses on or under
with you. It is also important that you recognize that medicine is the skin are uncommon and minor. These risks include bleeding
not an exact science, and that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. or irritation of the skin. If the mass is located within the chest or
We encourage you to ask us as many questions as required for abdomen, there are additional risks, the most important of which
you to make a well-informed decision. is significant bleeding. Aspirates inside the chest could lead to air
leakage called pneumothorax. Because these types of aspirates
BENEFITS/OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF THE PROCEDURE are guided by ultrasound, we can check to identify the first sign of
A fine-needle aspirate is a minimally invasive procedure that allows this type of complication; if a complication has occurred, it can be
us to obtain cells from tissues. Often, the tissue aspirated is a mass addressed appropriately. Other risks, such as puncture of tissues not
(a swelling or tumor). Cells obtained from the aspirate can be placed intended for sampling, exist but are uncommon. Finally, you need
under a microscope for evaluation. In some cases, this evaluation to be aware that the most common “risk” of fine needle aspirate is
can differentiate between a benign or malignant (cancerous) mass. that the small size of the sample obtained by this minimally invasive
It is important to know that fine-needle aspirates are not only done technique means the procedure might not lead to a diagnosis,
to look for cancer, but to look for other causes of disease (for therefore requiring additional diagnostic tests.
example, infection) as well. A fine-needle aspirate is not a treatment
for disease, but a tool to help diagnose disease. Unfortunately, due Other anticipated risks specific to your pet:___________________
to the minimally invasive nature, in some cases the cells obtained
from this procedure do not provide enough information to reach a _________________________________________________________
definitive diagnosis. Even if this is the case, the aspirate assessment
might help to eliminate (rule out) some potential causes of disease.
ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROCEDURE
EXPLANATION OF THE PROCEDURE The most common alternative to this procedure is a biopsy. Biopsies
The skin over the area of interest will be cleaned, but it is not usually are more invasive procedures and depending on the location may
necessary to shave any hair for this procedure. A small needle require local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. A big
similar in size to the needles used to administer vaccinations will be difference between a fine-needle aspirate and a biopsy is the size
inserted through the skin and into the tissue to collect cells. These of the sample. Instead of just a small number of cells obtained with
cells will be smeared on a microscope slide and either evaluated in a fine-needle aspirate, a piece of tissue is obtained with a biopsy.
the clinic or will be sent off for review by a veterinary pathologist. The size of the piece of tissue can range from a small portion of
This procedure is frequently performed on masses or tissues found the mass, to surgical resection of the entire mass. Benefits of
on or under the skin. Fine-needle aspirates can also be performed performing a biopsy include the following:
on tissues inside the chest or abdomen. When this is the case, • If the mass is resected completely, surgery may be curative.
an ultrasound machine is often used to guide placement of the • Biopsy samples may be submitted for a number of other tests,
needle, and shaving of a patch of overlying hair and disinfection such as bacterial cultures.
of that area of skin are necessary. • Evaluation of a biopsy sample allows for evaluation of the
Additional procedures planned for your pet at the same time architecture or the organization of the cells within that organ or
as the fine-needle aspirate: tissue.
Whether a surgical procedure is recommended for a biopsy is
____________________________________________________________ determined on a case-by-case basis; often, a fine-needle aspirate is
performed first and, if the sample is insufficient, surgery is considered
USE OF SEDATIVES OR ANESTHESIA next.
If the tissue sampled is on or just under the skin, there is rarely a
need for sedation. However, if the tissue to be sampled is located AUTHORIZATION
deep inside the chest or abdomen, sedation may be necessary to By signing this form below, you agree that:
make sure that your pet will hold still so that the aspirate can be • You understand how/why the procedure is likely to help your
performed as safely as possible. Sedation involves the administration pet
of medications that cause your pet to become drowsy and relaxed, • You understand what will be done to your pet during the
but to remain conscious. In general, there are fewer risks associated procedure
with sedation than with general anesthesia, but adverse events occur • You understand the known risks that accompany the procedure,
very rarely. Some medications used to induce sedation can be and also understand that unforeseen complications may occur

3313 3314 3315 3316 3317 3318 3319 3320 3321 3322 3323