Surgical management of a recurrent spinal meningioma in a cat

A 13-year-old male neutered Persian crossbred cat was evaluated for hindlimb paresis, ataxia and urinary incontinence that had been progressing over the previous 3 months. Neurologically, the cat had thoracolumbar spinal cord deficits and a myelogram detected the presence of a mass compressing the thoracic spinal cord. A hemilaminectomy was performed to excise the soft tissue mass, subsequently identified histologically as a psammomatous meningioma. The cat regained ambulatory function and continence following surgery until a recurrence of paresis and ataxia 36 months later. A second myelogram suggested local recurrence of the tumour, which was confirmed by histological examination of the tumour after its removal at a second laminectomy. The cat again regained normal neurological function, until a further recurrence 16 months after the second surgery. The meningioma was surgically debulked a third time and the cat regained ambulation and continence postoperatively. This case demonstrates the successful use of repeated surgical resection in the management of a recurrent spinal meningioma in a cat. The cat was ambulatory and continent at a follow-up examination 63 months after the initial presentation.     

Spinal cord injury resulting from incorrect microchip placement in a cat

A 2-year-old, male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for investigation of an acute onset of tetraparesis immediately following the implantation of a pet identification microchip. A left-sided C6-T2 spinal segment localisation was suspected from the neurological examination, with spinal cord trauma being the primary differential diagnosis. Myelography demonstrated obliteration of the contrast columns by the microchip at the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space. A dorsal laminectomy was undertaken and the microchip was successfully removed. Eleven months after the surgery, the cat was able to weight bear in all limbs but with mild residual paresis in the left thoracic limb.     

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.     

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.     

Spinal nephroblastoma in a crossbreed dog

A three-year-old, male crossbreed dog presented with progressive hindlimb paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord lesion of 1.5 cm diameter at the levels of the first and second lumbar vertebrae. Following surgical excision of the mass, there was resolution of the neurological signs. Twelve months later, hindlimb paresis was again evident. A second surgical procedure restored ambulatory status for a further five months before signs recurred and the dog was euthanased. A diagnosis of spinal nephroblastoma was made on the basis of signalment, lesion location and histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens.     

Thoracic vertebral osteochondroma in a cat

A thoracic vertebral (T5) osteochondroma was discovered in a 1 1/2-year-old male blue Persian cat with a history of acute hind limb paresis. Myelography revealed a mass on the dorsal surface of the vertebral body, which resulted in dorsal compression of the spinal cord. A dorsal laminectomy was performed, and the mass was rongeured entirely from the vertebral body. Although the cat's progress was initially slow after surgery, its neurologic status was assessed to be near normal, 15 months later.     

Dermoid cyst of the spinal cord associated with ataxia in a cat

A young adult Balinese cat developed complete hindlimb paralysis which persisted for six weeks. Clinical findings suggested a lesion compressing the spinal cord and this was confirmed at necropsy. A dermoid cyst was present at the level of the third thoracic vertebra. The cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and contained desquamated keratinised material and hair fragments. Sebaceous glands and hair follicles were present in the connective tissue wall. This is the first report of a dermoid cyst in the spinal cord of a cat. The lesion is considered to be a congenital anomaly.     

Spinal cord astrocytoma in a cat

A nine-year-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat with a history of spinal pain and progressive hindlimb dysfunction was presented to the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Following neurological and myelographic examination, an intramedullary mass affecting several lumbar spinal cord segments was diagnosed. A neoplastic lesion was suspected and a poor prognosis was given. On postmortem examination, the spinal cord was found to be dorsally flattened from the 12th thoracic vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra and severely thickened with a dorsal cleft from the fifth to the seventh lumbar vertebra. Histologically, the tumour was diagnosed as an anaplastic astrocytoma.     

Spinal nephroblastoma in a miniature Dachshund

A 2-year-old castrated miniature Dachshund dog was presented to the Rakuno Gakuen Veterinary Teaching Hospital for diagnosis of progressive hindlimb paresis and ataxia. There was no thoracolumbar intervertebral disk hernia and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord lesion at the ninth and tenth thoracic vertebrae. Following surgical excision of the neoplasm, there was minor amelioration of neurological signs, but forelimb function was not recovered. The extracted tumor was histopathlogically diagnosed as spinal nephroblastoma.     

Amelioration of caudal thoracic syringohydromyelia following surgical management of an adjacent arachnoid cyst

A nine-year-old male, neutered, pug was presented for investigation of progressive ambulatory paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia of three months' duration. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of caudal thoracic syringohydromyelia with an adjacent intradural arachnoid cyst. The cyst was marsupialised following dorsal laminectomy. Neurological status had improved 10 weeks following surgery when repeat magnetic resonance imaging revealed reduced spinal cord compression both as a result of resolution of the cyst and reduction in size of the syringohydromyelia. At 17 months following surgery, the dog showed further improvements in neurological status, exhibiting mild pelvic limb ataxia and proprioceptive deficits. Improved cerebrospinal fluid flow following surgery may have played a role in the improvement in both conditions. The presence of syringohydromyelia in this context does not preclude a favourable clinical outcome following surgical management.     

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.     

Partial surgical removal of an intramedullary epidermoid cyst from the spinal cord of a dog

An intramedullary space-occupying lesion in the form of an epidermoid cyst was diagnosed in a one-and-a-half-year-old flat-coated retriever. Dorsal laminectomy and durotomy were performed in order to establish the diagnosis followed by excision of one third of the cyst. The remaining cystic tissue that was intimately attached to the spinal cord parenchyma was left in place in order to avoid further damage to the nervous tissue. The dog's neurological status improved dramatically after the surgery, but deteriorated four months later due to recurrence of the cyst.     

Extradural spinal juxtafacet (synovial) cysts in three dogs

Three dogs were presented for investigation of spinal disease and were diagnosed with extradural spinal juxtafacet cysts of synovial origin. Two dogs that were presented with clinical signs consistent with pain in the lumbosacral region associated with bilateral hindlimb paresis were diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging. Both cysts were solitary and associated with the L6-7 dorsal articulations; both the dogs had a transitional vertebra in the lumbosacral region. A third dog that was presented with progressive paraparesis localised to T3-L3 spinal cord segments and compression of the spinal cord at T13-L1 was diagnosed using myelography. A solitary multiloculated cyst was found at surgery. Decompressive surgery resulted in resolution of the clinical signs in all three dogs. Immunohistological findings indicated that one to two layers of vimentin-positive cells consistent with synovial origin lined the cysts.     

Cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts in related,young pugs

Seven related young pugs were diagnosed with cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 6) and myelography (n = 1). All dogs were presented with skin abrasions on their thoracic limbs and non‐painful neurological deficits, indicating a C1‐T2 myelopathy. In all six dogs examined by magnetic resonance imaging not only the spinal arachnoid cyst but also a concomitant, most likely secondary, syringohydromyelia was confirmed. Pedigree analysis suggested a genetic predisposition for spinal arachnoid cysts in this family of pugs. Generalised proprioceptive deficits more pronounced in the thoracic limbs suggesting a focal cervical spinal cord lesion, with concomitant skin abrasions on the dorsal aspect of the thoracic limbs in a young pug, should alert veterinarians to the possibility of cervical spinal arachnoid cysts.     

Ischemic Neuromyopathy Associated with Steel Pellet BB Shot Aortic Obstruction in a Cat

An adult female calico cat was presented with clinical signs of posterior paresis. A steel pellet was seen radiographically lodged in the caudal aorta ventral to the fourth lumbar vertebra. Aortotomy was performed and the pellet was removed. Due to the severe spinal cord damage euthanasia was performed 25 days later. A discussion of the postmortem findings and similarities between this case and thromboembolic aortic obstruction follows.     

A field study of eight ovine vertebral body abscess cases

A vertebral body abscess extending into the epidural space causing spinal cord compression was diagnosed in the cervical spinal cord in four lambs and the thoracic spinal cord in four lambs. The affected lambs were aged between 4 and 10 weeks and clinical signs had been present for 7-21 days before veterinary examination. Treatment with high doses of penicillin did not result in an improvement of the neurological signs and all lambs were destroyed on humane grounds. Collection and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a significant increase in the protein concentration in lumbar compared to cisternal CSF samples. There was a neutrophilic pleocytosis in two lumbar CSF samples. In lambs aged between 4 and 10 weeks with no history of previous locomotor dysfunction, paresis of more than 1 week duration may be suggestive of a vertebral body abscess which has extended into the epidural space causing spinal cord compression. Stagnation of CSF caudal to the lesion results in an increased protein concentration in the lumbar sample.     

Acquired syringomyelia in a dog.

Acquired syringomyelia was diagnosed in an 11-year-old Fox Terrier with progressive paresis in the left pelvic limb. Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an intramedullary lesion involving the left dorsolateral portion of the spinal cord at the level of L-2 and L-3 vertebrae. Clinical signs improved after surgical syringotomy. Microscopic evaluation of a biopsy specimen from the cyst wall did not establish a definitive histologic diagnosis. The cyst was decreased in size on magnetic resonance imaging 7 months later.     

Spinal Epidural Abscess in Two Calves

Objective— To report clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome in 2 calves with spinal epidural abscess (SEA). Study Design— Clinical report. Animals— Calves (n=2). Methods— Calves had neurologic examination, analysis and antimicrobial culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vertebral column radiographs, myelography, and in 1 calf, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A definitive diagnosis of SEA was confirmed by necropsy in 1 calf and during surgery and histologic examination of vertebral canal tissue in 1 calf. Results— Clinical signs were difficulty in rising, ataxia, fever, apparent spinal pain, hypoesthesia, and paresis/plegia which appeared 15 days before admission. Calf 1 had pelvic limb weakness and difficulty standing and calf 2 had severe ataxia involving both thoracic and pelvic limbs. Extradural spinal cord compression was identified by myelography. SEA suspected in calf 1 with discospondylitis was confirmed at necropsy whereas calf 2 had MRI identification of the lesion and was successfully decompressed by laminectomy and SEA excision. Both calves had peripheral neutrophilia and calf 2 had neutrophilic pleocytosis in CSF. Bacteria were not isolated from CSF, from the surgical site or during necropsy. Calf 2 improved neurologically and had a good long‐term outcome. Conclusion— Good outcome in a calf with SEA was obtained after adequate surgical decompression and antibiotic administration. Clinical Relevance— SEA should be included in the list of possible causes of fever, apparent spinal pain, and signs of myelopathy in calves.     

Hydrocephalus and syringomyelia in a cat.

A 3-month-old male Japanese cat with feline parvovirus infection, showing central and cervical nerve abnormalities, was diagnosed as hydrocephalus and syringomyelia by use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The cat was maintained clinically by medical treatment even though he could not stand. The MRI scans obtained about 5 months later showed that the ventricles had increased in size and the cervical syrinx had extended into the thoracic spinal cord. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was performed. One week after surgery, neurological conditions had improved. At the postoperative MR images, the ventricles had decreased in size and the syrinx in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord could no longer be seen. The cat was still alive and was able to walk well.