An undifferentiated sarcoma in the cervical region in a horse

An Italian Saddle Horse mare was admitted for a hard, nonpainful mass localised in the cervical region. Clinical and diagnostic investigations were performed, which were suggestive of a multilobulated ossifying mass of neoplastic origin. Due to poor prognosis the horse was subjected to euthanasia. Post mortem computed tomography, anatomopathological examination and immunohistochemistry were used to make a definitive diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma in the cervical region.     

Spinal meningeal sarcoma in a rottweiler puppy

An 11-week-old rottweiler puppy was presented for evaluation of progressive paraparesis, urinary and faecal incontinence. Radiography and myelography revealed widening of the vertebral canal and remodelling of several lumbar vertebrae associated with an intramedullary spinal mass. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extensive, heterogeneous mass involving the lumbosacral spinal cord. Histopathological examination indicated a meningeal sarcoma with very varied cytological architecture.     

Ganglioglioma in the thalamus of a puppy

A solitary brain mass of a 4-month-old miniature dachshund showing seizure-like neurological signs was examined histopathologically. At necropsy a white tumor mass, replacing the thalamus, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter, was found. There was cystic space filled with yellowish pale fluid in the central area of the tumor mass. Histopathological examination revealed that the mass consisted of irregularly arranged well-differentiated neuronal and glial cells, and multifocal mineral deposits. The neuronal cells had a large clear nucleus and various amount of Nissl substances in the cytoplasm. Some neural cells were bi-nucleated. Neither mitotic figures nor proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive nuclei was found in the neuronal cells. Immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed diffuse proliferation of GFAP-positive glial cells and their processes, while these glial cells did not show apparent cellular atypism, mitotic activity, or PCNA-immunoreactivity. Accordingly, the present tumor was diagnosed as ganglioglioma, and hamartomatous histogenesis might be possible.     

Clinical findings in four cattle with abscesses in the cervical vertebrae

The purpose of this paper was to describe the clinical findings in four cattle with abscesses in the cervical vertebrae. In all of the animals there was generalized ataxia and normal behaviour, mentation and cranial nerve function. All animals had marked difficulty rising and had generalized ataxia. The most important haematological and biochemical findings were a mildly increased concentration of plasma protein in all animals and a markedly increased fibrinogen concentration in two animals. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from three animals. The protein content was mildly increased in the CSF samples of two animals. Based on the clinical findings, a tentative diagnosis of central nervous system disease with localisation in the neck region was made in all of the animals. Due to a poor prognosis, all of the animals were slaughtered. Postmortem examination revealed abscesses in the region of C3 to C6, which had resulted in extramedullary compression of the spinal cord. The abscesses varied in diameter from 2 to 8 cm.     

Unilateral degenerative joint disease of a cervical articular process joint between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae causing asymmetrical ataxia in a young horse

A 5-year-old horse was examined for investigation of asymmetrical, quadrilateral ataxia and paresis. Clinical examination was unremarkable, and a thorough neurological examination localised the lesion to the cervical spine. Following this, magnetic motor evoked potentials were acquired to allow for latency times to be determined. Abnormal conduction times were found to the right thoracic and right pelvic limbs, confirming that the horse had an asymmetrical cervical spinal myelopathy. Radiographs were acquired to ensure that the horse had no significant pathology which would contraindicate general anaesthesia. There were no abnormalities noted on these, so the horse underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography of its cervical spine which revealed enlargement of the right articular process joint between C4 and C5 with dorsolateral impingement of the spinal canal and cord. Due to the poor prognosis for future performance, the horse was subsequently euthanised. A post-mortem examination confirmed the findings of degenerative joint disease, with some unexpected changes seen on histology of the spinal cord. The unilateral right-sided compression had caused degenerative changes to ascending and descending tract bilaterally indicating a dynamic component to this lesion, which would be more commonly understood to be static.     

Casual discovery of a thoracic tumour showing histological features of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in a male Wistar laboratory rat

Sarcomas are neoplasms of mesenchymal origin, with a predominant cell population mimicking the organization of various soft tissues and/or bones. Previous categorizations also included the possibility of the presence of tissue macrophage-like (histiocytes) neoplasm cells, in a tumour described as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, but this group has been considered as a variety of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. Although this kind of malignancy is not rare in humans, only few cases have been reported in laboratory animals. We report an unusual single case of spontaneous tumour growth, detected by casual observation, in the left thoracic area of an 18-month-old male laboratory Wistar rat. Both this individual and his ancestors were not exposed to any known carcinogenic substance or radiation, thus suggesting the development of the neoplasm as a spontaneous event. The mass was extracted surgically under general anaesthesia, and slices were examined histologically and immunohistochemically, using photon microscopy. The pathologist reported the presence of a combination of fibroblasts and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells arranged in a storiform pattern. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the tissue using specific antibodies for several proliferation (Ki-67) and differentiation (S-100, CD-34, CD-68, pan-keratin, desmin and smooth muscle actin-SMA) markers. Positive reaction was observed for S-100, Ki-67, CD-68, desmin and SMA (limited) but not for CD-34 or cytokeratin.     

Morphometric analysis of cervical vertebrae in some marine and land mammals

Bones or skeletal remains can be used to answer a number of questions related to species, sex, age or cause of death. However, studies involving vertebrae have been limited as most were performed on skulls or long bones. Here, we have stated the hypothesis that the morphometry of cervical vertebrae can be used for species identification and body size estimation among marine and land mammals. The cervical vertebrae from eight and 14 species of marine and land mammals were used to collect morphometric data. Cluster dendrogram, principal component analysis, discriminant analysis and linear regression were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that, based on an index of C4 to C7, there were 13 out of 22 species for which identity could be correctly predicted in 100% of the cases. The correlations between cervical vertebrae parameters (height, width and length of centrum) in marine (average R^2 = 0.87, p < .01) and land (average R^2 = 0.51, p < .01) mammals were observed. These results indicate that vertebral morphometrics could be used for species prediction and verification of body weight in both marine and land mammals.     

The venous drainage of the cervical vertebrae of the ox (Bos taurus L.).

The venous drainage of the cervical vertebrae of the ox was studied in 16 animals (Friesland, Jersey and Guernsey cross-breeds), ranging from near full-term foetuses to adults. The extra- and intraosseous veins of the cervical vertebrae are described and illustrated. The nutrient vessels are derived from the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital and internal jugular veins. In addition to the dorsal and ventral external venous plexuses, a lateral external venous plexus is described. The intraosseous veins correspond in the main to the arteries. They are described and illustrated with reference to the available literature. In both young and adult animals anastomoses between epi- and metaphysial vessels are reported. The role of the internal ventral vertebral venous system as a collateral pathway is stressed and comments are made on its possible functional role.     

Osteochondrotic changes in the vertebrae of four ataxic horses suffering from cervical vertebral malformation

Ataxia caused by a focal compression of the cervical spinal cord was diagnosed in four young standardbred trotting horses. Diagnosis was verified by myelography. Changes in the cervical vertebral column were studied using microradiographic and histologic methods. In the vertebrae involved, there was irregularity of the cartilaginous growth zone, cracks with a loose fragment and disturbance in the enchondral ossification. These changes resemble osteochondrosis. Porous appearance in lateral and ventral funiculi as well as mural calcified plaques in the small vessels of the white matter were found in the spinal cord.     

The selenium requirement of the puppy

Current selenium (Se) recommendations for the puppy are based on extrapolation from other species (0.11 mg Se/kg diet). The purpose of this study was to experimentally determine the Se requirement in puppies. Thirty beagle puppies (average = 8.8 weeks old) were utilized in a randomized complete block design with age, litter and gender used as blocking criteria. Puppies were fed a low Se (0.04 mg Se/kg diet) torula yeast-based diet for 14 days (pre-test period) after which this same diet was supplemented with five levels of Na2SeO3 for 21 days (experimental period) to construct a response curve (0, 0.13, 0.26, 0.39 or 0.52 mg Se/kg diet). Response variables included Se concentrations and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activities (GSHpx) in serum as well as serum total triiodothyronine (TT3), serum total thyroxine (TT4) and serum free T4 (FT4). No significant changes in food intake and body weight gain occurred, and no clinical signs of Se deficiency were observed. A breakpoint for serum GSHpx could not be determined in our study due to analytical difficulties. A broken-line, two-slope response in serum Se occurred with a breakpoint at 0.17 mg Se/kg diet. When Se from the basal diet was added to this estimate, the breakpoint for serum Se equated to 0.21 mg Se/kg diet. TT3 increased linearly with increasing Se intake, whereas TT4 was unchanged. However, the ratio of TT4 : TT3 decreased linearly in response to supplemental Se. In summary, although we estimated the selenium requirement for the puppy based on serum Se, our 0.21 mg Se/kg diet estimate is higher than that seen for adult dogs, kittens, rats or poultry (0.13, 0.15, 0.15 and 0.15 mg Se/kg diet respectively). This difference may be due to the fact that GSHpx was used as the biomarker of Se status.     

An in vitro biomechanical comparison of a locking compression plate fixation and kerf cut cylinder fixation for ventral arthrodesis of the fourth and the fifth equine cervical vertebrae

Objectives: To (1) define mechanical properties in flexion, extension, and left lateral bending of cadaveric equine 4th and 5th cervical (C4–C5) articulations, (2) compare biomechanical properties of C4–C5 when stabilized with a kerf cut cylinder (KCC) compared with a ventrally placed 4.5 mm locking compression plate (LCP). Study Design: In vitro biomechanical investigation. Sample Population: Cadaveric adult equine cervical vertebral columns (n=54). Methods: Cervical vertebrae aged by horse dentition and size measured from radiographs were divided into 3 age groups then randomly allocated to 3 groups. The C4–C5 articulation was treated differently in each of the groups: KCC group; KCC‐implanted LCP group; 8‐hole 4.5 mm LCP implanted and intact group; no implant. Specimens were randomly subdivided into 1 of 3 loading conditions, before testing to failure under 4‐point bending. Stiffness, yield bending moment, failure bending moment, and failure mode were recorded. General linear models were performed to analyze associations between biomechanical properties and test variables. Results: All specimens failed at the C4–C5 intervertebral articulation. The cervical vertebrae with the LCP construct had significantly higher stiffness, yield bending moment, and failure bending moment than the KCC‐implanted cervical vertebrae. Failure modes differed between groups and varied with loading direction: KCC group, fractures of C5 associated with the KCC were common; LCP group, screw pull out or fractures (of C4 and C5 bodies, during extension and the caudal aspect of C4 during left lateral bending) were common; and intact group, subluxations were most common. Conclusions: In this model, LCP constructs had superior biomechanical properties compared with KCC constructs. Further research investigating the effect of repetitive loading is indicated.