Meningocele e meningoencefalocele em leitões: aspectos patológicos e de imagem / Meningocele and meningoencephalocele in piglets: pathologic and imaging aspects

ABSTRACT

Background: Meningocele and meningoencephalocele are rare congenital deformities characterized by herniation of the meninges and of the meninges and brain tissue through a bone defect in the skull (cranioschisis), respectively. Descriptions of these malformations in pigs are scarce in the international literature and non-existent in Brazil, with only one case of cranioschisis with brain exposure (without protrusion of the meninges and covered by skin) reported to date. Here, we report a case of meningocele and another of meningoencephalocele in piglets in the state of Bahia and describe the main related anatomopathological and imaging characteristics (radiographic and ultrasonographic). Case The congenital malformations occurred in newborn piglets from a farm located in the city of Catu, Bahia, Brazil, which presented with an evident large saccular area positioned dorsally to the head. The animals died 48 h after birth and were referred to the Laboratory of Animal Pathology of the Federal University of Bahia, for the studies and diagnostic conclusion. Postmortem ultrasound examinations showed that the region was filled with fluid and associated with a small brain protrusion in case 1 and a defect in the skull bone, which had its orifice dimensions estimated. Despite the superimposition of structures, the skull malformation was identified on radiographic examination (case 1) and measured on ultrasonographic examination (cases 1 and 2). During necropsy, the piglets presented with a marked marked bulge of saccular appearance under the skin in the frontal region. The saccular formation was floating, internally covered by dura mater and filled with reddish serous liquid (liquor). Discussion: The diagnoses of meningoencephalocele and...