Use of magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic findings for diagnosis of an aneurysmal bone cyst in the scapula of a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-month-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of left thoracic limb lameness. CLINICAL FINDINGS: A firm mass was palpable in the left scapular region. On the basis of clinical signs; results of radiographic, ultrasonographic, and cytologic evaluations; and findings on magnetic resonance imaging, an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the scapula was strongly suspected. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Considering the large size of the mass and the poor prognosis for return to function of the left thoracic limb, amputation was elected. Histologic evaluation ruled out a malignant process and was diagnostic for ABC originating from the left scapula. The patient recovered well and was ambulatory the day after surgery. Three years after surgery, the cat was healthy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of radiography, regional ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging enabled lesion structure and cavity content evaluation. However, final diagnosis was confirmed by histologic evaluation. To our knowledge, this is the first veterinary report of the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization and diagnosis of an ABC.

A primitive neuroectodermal tumor with extension into the cranial vault in a dog.

This paper reports the clinical findings, cytology, diagnostic imaging, and necropsy of an unusual case of a peripheral nervous system neoplasm which, subsequent to a 6-month clinical history, extended into the cranial vault. Necropsy and histology confirmed the diagnosis of a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Prion protein protects against ethanol-induced Bax-mediated cell death in vivo.

Prion protein inhibits Bax activation and Bax-mediated cell death in primary cultures of human neurons and in MCF-7 cells. To determine whether prion protein can protect against Bax-mediated cell death in vivo, wild-type, null and prion over-expressing mice were subjected to Bax-dependent ethanol induced neuronal apoptotic cell death and the brains were immunostained for active caspase-3 as a downstream marker of Bax activation. Bax activation occurs in all ethanol-injected mice independent of their genotype. A higher level of cell death is present in ethanol-injected null mice than in wild-type and prion over-expressing mice. We conclude that prion protein protects some, but not all neurons, against Bax-mediated cell death in this experimental paradigm.