Recurrent spinal arachnoid cyst in a cat

Spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) are uncommon expanding lesions in the spinal canal. They are rarely diagnosed in dogs, and there are only four published cases in cats. We report a case of a 12-year-old cat with recurrent signs of intermittent urinary incontinence and hind limb ataxia 2 years after surgical marsupialisation of a spinal arachnoid cyst at T11/12. Recurrence of a cyst was diagnosed by myelography. Repeated marsupialisation after laminectomy was successful and the cat recovered satisfactorily although intensive physical therapy was necessary. SACs are very rare in cats and seem to occur mainly as a secondary lesion to spinal and meningeal trauma or irritation due to bony changes of the vertebrae.     

Acquired cervical spinal arachnoid diverticulum in a cat

A one‐year‐old, female entire, domestic, shorthair cat presented with acute onset non‐ambulatory tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with a C3‐C4 acute non‐compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion and the cat was treated conservatively. The cat was able to walk after 10 days and was normal 2 months after presentation. The cat was referred five and a half years later for investigation of an insidious onset 3‐month history of ataxia and tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine was repeated, demonstrating a spinal arachnoid diverticulum at C3 causing marked focal compression of the spinal cord. This was treated surgically with hemilaminectomy and durectomy. The cat improved uneventfully and was discharged 12 days later.     

Pancreatic cyst in a cat

CASE HISTORY: A 5-year-old neutered male Cornish Rex cat was presented for evaluation with a history of vomiting over the previous 5 days.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: An abdominal mass was palpated, which was shown to be cystic by ultrasound examination. Exploratory surgery revealed this to be associated with the pancreas and it was duly resected. Histopathology was performed on the cystic mass.

DIAGNOSIS: Pancreatic cyst with associated chronic active infl ammation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report of a true pancreatic cyst in a cat.     

Choledochal cyst with secondary cholangitis,choledochitis, duodenal papillitis,and pancreatitis in a young domestic shorthair cat

Choledochal cysts, congenital segmental dilations of the common bile duct, have been reported in few cats, and histologic characterization is lacking. A 20-mo-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented because of vomiting and weight loss. There was progressive elevation of liver enzyme activity (ALT > ALP, GGT) and hyperbilirubinemia. Diagnostic imaging identified focal cystic dilation of the common bile duct, dilation and tortuosity of adjacent hepatic ducts, and a prominent duodenal papilla. A choledochal cyst was suspected, and the animal was euthanized. On postmortem examination, there was a 2-cm, firm, thickened, cystic dilation of the common bile duct, patent with adjacent ducts. Histologically, the cyst wall was expanded by fibroblasts, collagen, and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. Adjacent bile ducts were markedly dilated and tortuous, with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and papillary mucosal hyperplasia that extended to the major duodenal papilla. There was chronic neutrophilic cholangitis, suggesting bacterial infection and/or disturbed bile drainage, extrahepatic obstruction, and lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis with ductular metaplasia. Prominent lymphoid follicles within biliary ducts and duodenum suggested chronic antigenic stimulation. Choledochal cysts can be associated with chronic neutrophilic cholangitis, extrahepatic obstruction, choledochitis, duodenal papillitis, and pancreatitis, and should be a differential for increased hepatic enzymes and hyperbilirubinemia in young cats.     

Spinal dermoid sinus in a Burmese cat with paraparesis

A 2-year-old, male, Burmese cat was evaluated for chronic progressive hindlimb weakness, ataxia and urinary incontinence. Radiographic examination, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging defined congenital vertebral anomalies and a space-occupying intradural, extramedullary mass. A dermoid sinus was subsequently identified dorsal to the affected spine. Surgical excision of the tract necessitated a dorsal laminectomy and removal of a 1-cm diameter intradural dermoid sinus 'cyst' that contained hair and sebaceous debris. The cat recovered hindlimb function after surgery and remains asymptomatic 50 months after surgery except for a persistent inability to urinate voluntarily.     

Orbito-nasal cyst in a young European short-haired cat

Purpose To describe a case of an orbito‐nasal cyst in a cat. Procedure An 18‐month‐old male European short‐haired cat was presented to the Ophthalmology service of the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich for a subcutaneous swelling in the medial canthal region of the right eye (OD). Ophthalmologic, ultrasound and CT examinations, and fine needle aspiration were performed. After lesion excision, the removed tissue was submitted for histopathology. CT examination was repeated 5 months after removal of the cyst. Results Ophthalmologic examination revealed a large fluctuant swelling inferonasal to OD. Despite patent lacrimal puncta, only the first few mm of the lacrimal canaliculi could be cannulated. A normal globe with moderate enophthalmos was present. Ultrasound examination showed a well‐defined lobulated cyst‐like structure in the right orbit, inferonasal and anterior to the eye. CT examination revealed extension of this lesion through the medial orbital wall into the right nasal cavity. Fine needle aspiration confirmed the cystic nature of the lesion. An orbito‐nasal cyst was diagnosed. The orbital part of the cyst was dissected from the surrounding tissue and excised from the periosteum in the medial orbital wall defect. Part of the maxillary bone was removed to allow removal of the cyst from the nasal cavity. Histologically, the cyst wall consisted of a single to multilayered, mostly cuboidal epithelium and surrounding connective tissue. Follow‐up revealed a good functional result and no recurrence 7 months after cyst removal. Conclusions Similar orbito‐nasal cystic structures were reported in dogs but not in cats.     

Zolpidem poisoning in a cat

Zolpidem (Stilnox) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug of the imidazopyridine class intended for treatment of insomnia in humans. A 16-year-old neutered cat, weighing 3.8 kg, was presented with sudden onset of stupor, disorientation, severe ataxia, vomiting and hypersalivation. Symptomatic treatment was given when ingestion of 1.25 mg/kg zolpidem (half of a 10-mg tablet) was confirmed, because no information on the efficacy and safety of the use of flumazenil in the treatment of zolpidem poisoning in cats has been published to date. As zolpidem is prescribed with increasing frequency in humans, the occurrence of accidental poisonings of pets is likely to increase.     

Cervical spinal arachnoid cyst in a dog

An 18-month-old, intact male Akita presented with a 12-month history of progressive ataxia, hypermetria, and loss of conscious proprioception of the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Neurological examination and myelography localized a lesion at cervical vertebrae 1 and 2 consistent with an arachnoid cyst. Hemilaminectomy and cyst fenestration led to virtually full recovery.     

Intradural spinal arachnoid cyst in a dog

An 8-month-old, spayed female dog was presented with signs localizing a neurologic lesion between the 3rd thoracic and 3rd lumbar vertebrae. An arachnoid cyst was diagnosed by myelography, and a dorsal laminectomy with durotomy was performed. The dog continues to do well 1-1/2 year after surgery.     

Surgical removal of an intramedullary chopstick fragment penetrating the spinal cord in a cat

A 3-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented with sudden ataxia. Neurologic examination showed complete loss of proprioception in the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a non-metallic foreign body penetrating the spinal cord. The foreign body was removed by the ventral approach to the atlanto-occipital junction. Mild improvement of proprioception was observed the day after surgery. In a follow-up two months after surgery, the owner reported a complete recovery of the patient, showing a normal gait. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first case report describing successful removal of an intramedullary foreign body penetrating cervical spinal cord by ventral approach in a cat.     

Hypotension and pruritus induced by neuraxial anaesthesia in a cat

Although preventive epidural morphine administration with bupivacaine is effective in producing long‐lasting analgesia, neuraxial anaesthesia can cause cardiovascular depression and pruritus. This report presents the development and treatment of hypotension and pruritus after intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine administration in a 3‐year‐old female spayed Domestic Short‐hair cat presented for surgical repair of a torn right cranial cruciate ligament. Opioid‐induced pruritus is not usually considered a frequently occurring complication, but may be easily misinterpreted as being dysphoria in recovery. It can be treated by administration of ondansetron, with human patients usually responding within 30 min after treatment.     

Marsupialisation of an arachnoid cyst in a dog

A seven-month-old West Highland white terrier was presented with hindlimb ataxia and paraparesis. Radiographic studies revealed an arachnoid cyst at thoracic vertebrae 12 and 13. A dorsal laminectomy and durotomy were performed to decompress the spinal cord. The cyst was marsupialised by suturing the dura mater to the edge of the laminectomy defect. There were no postoperative complications and the dog improved to normality.     

Hepatic myelolipoma incarcerated in a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a cat

Hepatic myelolipoma incarcerated in a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed in an 11-year-old, desexed female Persian cat. The cat was initially referred for investigation of tachypnoea and dyspnoea. Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a common incidental finding in cats and is usually asymptomatic. Myelolipoma is an extremely rare benign tumour, composed of extramedullary haematopoietic cells and adipose tissue. Myelolipomas are hypothesised to result from metaplastic alteration, rather than a neoplastic process, although this theory cannot be substantiated. The present case is only the fourth report of such an unusual occurrence in cats and displays significant differences to previous reports. Hepatic entrapment and burgeoning of the mass within the pericardial sac resulted in cardiac tamponade and overt signs of right-sided cardiac failure. Surgical intervention was successful and despite concerns regarding the cat's clinical presentation and the gross appearance of the lesion(s), a good long-term outcome is anticipated.     

Acquired peri-articular ganglion cyst in the lateral femorotibial joint in an 18-year-old Percheron cross mare

This report describes a case of sudden lameness in an 18-year-old Percheron cross mare after presumably being kicked by another horse, and the subsequent formation of a ganglion cyst originating from the lateral femorotibial joint. Physical examination, radiographic and ultrasonographic investigation identified a soft round 5 cm diameter mass attached to the left lateral femorotibial joint. After surgical removal, histopathological examination confirmed a ganglion cyst. The horse responded well to the surgical removal of the cyst, and 4 weeks after the surgery, the mare has returned back to her same athletic performance. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case that describes a peri-articular ganglion cyst originating from the stifle joint.     

Paraprostatic cyst in a cat

A paraprostatic cyst and lymphosarcoma were found in a neutered male cat that was being evaluated for monoparesis and pollakiuria. The cyst was first detected on physical examination as a palpable caudal abdominal mass. Survey radiography, intravenous urography and ultrasonography were used to further evaluate the cyst. The exact histological nature of the cyst was determined by post mortem examination to be a paraprostatic cyst of prostatic origin that communicated with the urethra. The lining of the cyst consisted of one to two layers of transitional epithelium which was continuous with prostatic ductules in several locations. This is the first reported paraprostatic cyst of prostatic origin in a cat.     

Pancreatic cyst in a cat

CASE HISTORY: A 5-year-old neutered male Cornish Rex cat was presented for evaluation with a history of vomiting over the previous 5 days. CLINICAL FINDINGS: An abdominal mass was palpated, which was shown to be cystic by ultrasound examination. Exploratory surgery revealed this to be associated with the pancreas and it was duly resected. Histopathology was performed on the cystic mass. DIAGNOSIS: Pancreatic cyst with associated chronic active inflammation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report of a true pancreatic cyst in a cat.