Spinal lymphoma in a goat.

A 3-year-old Pygmy Wether was presented for chronic hindlimb paralysis. A neurological exam revealed nonambulatory paraplegia with absent deep pain nociception, lack of hindlimb withdrawal reflexes, and paraspinal pain on palpation with T3 to L3 neurolocalization. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed an extensive, dorsal to dorsolateral, severely compressive, heterogeneously contrast-enhancing extradural lesion of the lumbar spine with intervertebral foraminal extension into the surrounding paraspinal musculature. Vertebral bone marrow involvement was also noted in the L5 and L6 vertebrae. A diagnosis of lymphoma was obtained after cytological sampling. This is the first case report describing specific MRI findings (signal characteristics, enhancement pattern, and perilesional changes) in a goat with paraspinal lymphoma.

Radiographic appearance of a caudal vertebral chordoma in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A 7-year-old spayed female ferret was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for a slow-growing mass involving the base of the tail. Radiographs revealed a large, irregularly marginated mineralized mass centered on the fifth to seventh caudal vertebrae with osteolysis of the affected caudal vertebrae. A partial caudectomy was performed, and histopathology was consistent with a chordoma. This is the first case report describing the radiographic appearance of a chordoma in the proximal tail and only the second report to describe radiographic findings in a ferret.

A complex histopathological challenge: suspicion of an osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma arising from the second thoracic vertebra in a cat.

BACKGROUND: Reports of osteoblastic tumours are limited to a few case reports in veterinary medicine. Osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma has been accepted by the World Health Organization as an intermediate form between an osteosarcoma and osteoblastoma. This type of tumour indicates an osteosarcoma, that may resemble osteoblastoma clinically, histologically, and radiologically and have the capability for metastasis. Osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma has not been described in veterinary medicine so far. CASE PRESENTATION: An eight-year old cat was presented due to progressive ataxia and paraparesis of the pelvic limbs. Imaging confirmed a well-defined, extradural mass originating from the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2) leading to severe compression of the spinal cord. Decompressive cytoreduction was achieved by removal of the mass after dorsal laminectomy of T1. After recovering from an acute worsening 3.5 weeks after surgery, the cat had an improved neurological status and the dorsal compression was resolved at follow-up 8 months later. A focal contrast enhancing lesion was still evident at the base of T2 spinous process and lung metastasis was additionally suspected. Based on histopathological, radiographic, and clinical features, an "osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma" was suspected. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of this tumour in veterinary medicine. In addition, this case report highlights the difficulty in the diagnosis and definition of osseous neoplasia in cats and provides a literature review.

Chordoma of the sacrum of an adult naked mole-rat.

The naked mole-rat (NMR; Heterocephalus glaber)-a small, eusocial, subterranean rodent native to East Africa-is distinguished by its capability to live long and resist changes associated with the aging process. Notably, a growing amount of research has been dedicated to NMRs' multifactorial capacity to resist cancer. Since 2016, however, zoos have begun to document various neoplasms in a handful of individuals. We present herein radiographic, gross anatomic, and histopathologic features of a case of a sacral chordoma in a geriatric female. Chordomas originate in notochordal remnants. These spinal tumors are most commonly seen in ferrets; chordomas are rare in humans, can be difficult to treat, and need wide surgical margins.

Computed Tomography for the Diagnosis and Characterization of Dermoid Sinuses in Two Dogs.

A 6 mo old male castrated bloodhound-Rhodesian ridgeback mix (case 1) presented for a mass suspected to be a dermoid sinus in the thoracolumbar region, and a 2.5 yr old male castrated Rhodesian ridgeback (case 2) presented for a mass suspected to be a dorsal cervical dermoid sinus. Both dogs underwent single-phase contrast computed tomography (CT) to characterize the extent of the dermoid sinus prior to surgical excision. Soft tissue and bony abnormalities of the vertebral spine associated with the dermoid sinuses were confirmed in both dogs prior to surgery, demonstrating communication with the dura of the spinal cord. Surgical exploration and excision of the dermoid sinus was performed in each dog, including partial laminectomy. Both cases had resolution of the sinus and an uncomplicated recovery. These cases show that single-phase contrast CT was accurate in characterizing the extent of the dermoid sinus without adjunctive tests or more invasive diagnostics. Single-phase contrast CT should be considered as a preoperative method to characterize the extent of dermoid sinuses, avoiding the risks associated with myelography or fistulography and the expense of MRI. This is also the first report of a dermoid sinus in the thoracolumbar region and the first in a bloodhound and Rhodesian ridgeback mix.

Outcome of 9 dogs treated with stereotactic radiation therapy for primary or metastatic vertebral osteosarcoma.

Primary and metastatic vertebral osteosarcoma (OSA) in the dog carries an overall guarded prognosis. Previously reported definitive treatments in dogs with vertebral OSA have included surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of those therapies. This retrospective study was completed to determine patterns of failure, duration of local control and survival time in dogs with vertebral OSA treated with stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). Nine dogs were treated with SRT for vertebral OSA. Protocols ranged from 1 to 5 fractions with total prescription ranging from 13.5 to 36 Gy. Six dogs had primary lesions and 3 had metastatic lesions. Neurologic score improved in 4 patients, remained the same in 4 and worsened in 1. Five of the 6 dogs that presented with assessable spinal pain had reported improvement in pain. Overall median survival time was 139 days and median duration of pain control was 77 days. There was not a statistically significant survival difference between dogs presenting with primary or metastatic disease, or dogs that had improvement in neurologic score following SRT. The data suggests similar survival times to the previously reported definitive treatments in dogs with vertebral OSA and displays continued difficulty in controlling this tumour. The dose limiting structure is the late responding spinal cord, but many of the patients herein died prior to the expected time to development of late radiation side effects.

Vertebral replacement for the treatment of vertebral osteosarcoma in a cat.

A 7-year-old cat was referred with pelvic limb ataxia. Radiography and CT revealed bone resorption of the L1 vertebral arch, and myelography identified a compressive extradural lesion. The mass was surgically removed and histopathologically diagnosed as giant cell osteosarcoma. Three years later, the recurrent tumor resection and vertebral fixation were performed. Six months later, vertebrectomy was performed to radically excise the recurrent mass and a titanium spinal cage was placed. The cat is alive approximately 5 years after the first surgery. This case report describes vertebrectomy and vertebral body replacement as a radical treatment for feline vertebral osteosarcoma.

Invasive histiocytic sarcoma of the lumbar spine in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

This report describes the history, clinical examination and histopathology of a histiocytic sarcoma in a domestic ferret. Clinical signs were acute paraplegia and dysuria. Physical examination revealed a firm, smooth, touch-sensitive mass in and around the lumbar vertebral column. Neurologic examination was consistent with a lesion between spinal cord segments T3 and L3. Magnetic resonance images revealed bone lesions of L2 and L3 combined with compression of the spinal cord due to a homogenous, isointense mass that was diagnosed as a malignant round cell tumour and the ferret was euthanased. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an infiltrative histiocytic sarcoma.

[Spinal nephroblastoma at an uncommon localization in a dog]. / Spinales Nephroblastom in ungewöhnlicher Lokalisation bei einem Hund.

A 7-month-old intact male Otterhound was presented for diagnosis of progressive hindlimb paresis. The neurological examination revealed a severe ambulatory paraparesis localised to the left-sided region of the lower motor neuron (L4-S1). Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive for an intradural-extramedullary neoplasia at the fifth lumbar vertebra. Surgical exploration demonstrated an intradural-extramedullary mass, which partially invaded the spinal cord. The mass was removed with the exception of the intramedullar part, and the diagnosis of a nephroblastoma was made histopathologically. Following radiation therapy, the dog fully recovered and displayed no signs of neurological dysfunction 9 months after surgery.

SPINAL MAST CELL TUMORS IN DOGS: IMAGING FEATURES AND CLINICAL OUTCOME OF FOUR CASES.

Published information regarding canine vertebral column mast cell tumors (MCTs) is limited. The objectives of this study were to report clinical and advanced imaging findings for a group of dogs with confirmed spinal MCT. Inclusion criteria for this retrospective case series were dogs with spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans and a histological diagnosis of spinal MCT. Clinical, imaging, treatment, and outcome data were recorded. Four dogs met inclusion criteria. One dog had primary spinal MCT and three dogs had metastatic spinal MCT. All four dogs presented for paraspinal hyperesthesia and subacute progressive or acute myelopathy. All CT and MRI lesions were extradural. Two cases exhibited distinct masses in the epidural space. In one case, an epidural tumor invaded from the paravertebral musculature. One case exhibited polyostotic lesions indistinguishable from multiple myeloma by MRI. One dog with a primary epidural low-grade MCT remains clinically normal 4 years postoperatively, following adjunctive lomustine. An epidural high-grade MCT, metastatic from a cutaneous tumor, recurred within 2 months of surgery despite adjunctive vinblastine. Two high-grade cases with concurrent visceral involvement were euthanized immediately after imaging. In dogs, MCT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a progressive painful myelopathy and CT or MRI evidence of an extradural spinal lesion (epidural, paravertebral, or polyostotic). While more often associated with cutaneous or disseminated disease, MCT may also occur as a primary tumor of the epidural space in dogs.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF A MULTIFOCAL OLIGODENDROGLIOMA IN THE SPINAL CORD AND BRAIN OF A DOG.

An 8-year-old neutered male Toy Poodle was presented with chronic, progressive tetraparesis, and possible seizures. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated an extensive, T1 and T2 hyperintense contrast enhancing mass in the cervical spinal cord. Three nodules were present on the surface of the thalamus, with enhancement most evident on delayed images. A diagnosis of high-grade oligodendroglioma was confirmed with postmortem histopathology and immunohistochemical labeling. Oligodendroglioma should be considered as a differential for T1 hyperintense intraaxial or intramedullary lesions with contrast enhancement. If enhancement is not visualized on postcontrast images, delayed images may be beneficial.

Magnetic resonance imaging and immunohistochemistry of primary vertebral hemangiosarcoma in a dog and implications for diagnosis and therapy.

A vertebral mass in a dog with an acute onset paraparesis was identified by magnetic resonance imaging. A poorly differentiated hemangiosarcoma was diagnosed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase could be a new differential marker for poorly differentiated hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Immunohistochemical detection of p53 phosphorylated at Serine392, p53, CD117, and CD44 suggest targets for design of therapeutic strategies.

Imagerie par résonance magnétique et immunistochimie d'un hémangiosarcome vertébral primaire chez un chien et répercussions pour le diagnostic et le traitement. Une masse vertébrale chez un chien atteint d'une manière soudaine d'une paraparésie a été identifiée à l'aide d'imagerie par résonance magnétique. Un hémangiosarcome mal différencié a été diagnostiqué par histopathologie et immunohistochimie. La synthase à l'oxyde nitrique endothélial pourrait être un nouveau marqueur différentiel pour l'hémangiosarcome mal différencié chez les chiens. La détection immunohistochimique de p53 phosphorylé à la sérine392, p53, CD117 et CD44 suggère des cibles pour la conception de stratégies thérapeutiques.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Pubectomy and stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of a non-resectable sacral osteosarcoma causing pelvic canal obstruction in a dog.

A pubectomy was carried out to relieve obstruction of the pelvic canal in a 6-year-old dog diagnosed with sacral osteosarcoma. Two days after surgery, the dog was ambulatory with normal urination and defecation. Pubectomy is a viable option to relieve clinical signs in patients with pelvic canal obstruction due to a non-resectable tumor.

Pubectomie et radiothérapie stéréotactique pour le traitement d'un ostéosarcome sacral non réséquable causant un blocage du canal pelvien chez un chien. Une pubectomie a été réalisée afin de soulager un blocage du canal pelvien chez une chienne âgée de 6 ans avec un diagnostic d'ostéosarcome sacral. Deux jours après la chirurgie, la chienne était ambulatoire et avait une miction et une défécation normales. La pubectomie représente une option viable pour soulager les signes cliniques chez les patients ayant un blocage pelvien causé par une tumeur non réséquable.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Cervical Vertebral Body Chordoma in a Cat.

A 9-year-old, neutered female Maine Coon cat with a 6-week history of progressive ataxia was diagnosed with a cervical vertebral body mass using magnetic resonance imaging. The mass displaced and compressed the cervical spinal cord. The cat was humanely destroyed and necropsy examination confirmed a mass within the second cervical vertebral body. Microscopically, the mass was composed of large, clear, vacuolated ('physaliferous') cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed both cytokeratin and vimentin and the final diagnosis was a cervical, vertebral body chordoma. This is only the third report of a chordoma in this species and the first in this location. Chordoma should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for tumours arising from the cervical vertebrae in the cat.

Infiltrative Spinal Lipoma in a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

An adult Canada goose ( Branta canadensis ) was presented unable to walk. On physical examination, conscious proprioception was absent in both legs, and motor function was decreased. The bird did not improve with supportive care and was euthanatized and submitted for postmortem examination. Sagittal sectioning of the spine revealed an intradural growth causing segmental deformity of the lumbosacral spinal cord. The growth was diagnosed as an infiltrative spinal lipoma. Infiltrative lipomas are locally invasive, benign tumors that can be found in any host tissue. They have been documented in small and exotic companion animals, including birds; however, this is the first report of an infiltrative lipoma in the spinal canal of a bird or free-living wild animal.

Cervical chordoma in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with pulmonary metastasis.

A 4-year-old, male neutered domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated for a mass in the left cervical region. The owner elected humane euthanasia, and an autopsy was performed, revealing a neoplasm with infiltration into the left cranial articular fovea of the atlas and cervical vertebrae, with regional compression of the spinal cord. Histologic evaluation was consistent with cervical chordoma. At autopsy, a left cranial lung lobe nodule was observed. Additional sectioning and histologic evaluation revealed multiple foci of metastatic chordoma at this site. A small focus of micrometastasis was also detected in a section from the right lung lobes. Chordoma is the most common musculoskeletal neoplasm of ferrets, arising from remnant fetal notochord. To our knowledge, pulmonary chordoma metastasis has not been previously reported in the ferret. This case demonstrates the potential for visceral metastasis of chordoma in the ferret, as has been reported in other species.

Chordoma of the thoracic vertebrae in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).

A 19-year-old female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was presented with hind limb weakness, ataxia and respiratory distress. Computed tomography revealed a mass between the left side of the T7 vertebra and the base of the left 7th rib. The tiger then died, and necropsy was performed. Grossly, the vertebral mass was 6 × 5.7 × 3 cm, and invaded the adjacent vertebral bone and compressed the T7 spinal cord. Histologically, the mass was composed of large, clear, vacuolated and polygonal cells with osteochondral matrix. Cellular and nuclear atypia were moderate. The vacuolated cells stained positively for cytokeratin and vimentin and negatively for S-100. Based on these findings, the present case was diagnosed as a vertebral chordoma; the first report in a tiger.