First Case of a Cerebrocortical Ganglioglioma in a Dog.

Gangliogliomas are extremely rare tumors of the nervous system composed of neoplastic glial and neuronal cells. The aim of the present paper is to describe the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and histopathological and immunophenotypical characteristics of a cerebral cortex ganglioglioma in a 7-year-old Border Collie. The dog presented an acute onset of tonic-clonic epileptic seizures. MRI revealed a well-defined large intra-axial mass located on the left forebrain, mainly affecting the frontal cortex. Following humane euthanasia, the histopathological examination of the mass revealed a diffuse proliferation of neoplastic glial cells mixed with anomalous neuronal bodies. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the presence of two different populations of neoplastic cells. Most neoplastic glial cells were immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the other subset of neoplastic cells were positive to neuronal markers such as PGP 9.5, synaptophysin (SYN) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), suggestive of neuronal cells. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of a cerebrocortical ganglioglioma. To the authors knowledge, this is the first description of a ganglioglioma of the cerebral cortex in a dog.

CT characterisation of feline adrenal glands.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to describe the CT characteristics of the adrenal glands in healthy cats, to provide normal reference biometry for adrenal gland size and attenuation values, and to investigate the association with age, sex, laterality and body weight. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 30 CT studies of healthy adult cats recruited from September 2013 to July 2015 was performed. Healthy cats >1 year of age were included based on the absence of clinical signs, unremarkable physical examination, normal results of the complete blood count, biochemical profile, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus and Bartonella species infection tests. The relationship between gland biometry (size and attenuation values) and the age, sex, laterality and body weight of cats were tested by two-way ANOVA. The intraclass correlation coefficient was assessed and mean, SD, range and reference interval provided. RESULTS: Twenty-seven cats were included. Bilobed, arrowhead and oval adrenal gland shape patterns were recognised, the first being most common. No statistically significant differences were observed between the biometric parameters (length, height and attenuation values) and age, sex, laterality or body weight of the cats. Regarding the width of the adrenal glands, there was a statistically significant effect of sex and laterality. The length (11.6 ± 2.1 mm) and height (6.1 ± 1.3 mm) were the most consistent biometrical parameters to describe adrenal glands. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adrenal gland shape, size and attenuation CT data of healthy feline patients are provided in this study, as well as normal reference intervals for morphometric characterisation based on adrenal length and height.

Computed tomographic features of destructive granulomatous rhinitis with intracranial extension secondary to leishmaniasis in a cat.

A 5-year-old castrated male Domestic Shorthair cat presented for evaluation of chronic history of nasal discharge and nasal stridor. On computed tomography (CT), a destructive ill-defined mass of soft tissue attenuation was occupying the right nasal cavity and extending into the left nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and rostral cranial cavity. Histopathology of the rhinoscopically excised samples consisted with destructive granulomatous rhinitis secondary to Leishmania spp. Chronic granulomatous rhinitis with intracranial and nasopharyneal extension secondary to Leishmania spp. infection should be included as a differential diagnosis for a destructive nasal mass of soft tissue attenuation, especially in endemic regions for leishmaniasis.

CT characterisation of the feline os penis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of identification and to describe the CT features of the os penis in cats without genitourinary disorders. METHODS: CT studies from cats that underwent an abdominal or pelvic examination between October 2013 and May 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Cats with no signs of urinary disease and with the external genitalia included in the scan were recruited. Length, width, height and pre- and post-contrast attenuation values of the os penis in soft tissue and bone algorithms were measured independently by two observers. RESULTS: Twenty-three cats met the inclusion criteria. A cylindrical bone-attenuating structure inside the glans penis compatible with the os penis was visible in 20/23 (87%) cats. Mean length, width and height values were 3.48 mm × 1.41 mm × 1.37 mm in the soft tissue algorithm, and 3.26 mm × 1.15 mm × 1.06 mm in bone algorithm. The size of the os penis was not significantly different in neutered vs intact cats, but it was significantly larger in soft tissue vs bone algorithm. Age and body weight did not influence os penis size. Pre-contrast mean ± SD attenuation was 216.7 ± 69.5 Hounsfield units (HU) for soft tissue and 320.1 ± 135.9 HU for bone algorithms. Post-contrast attenuation was 289.1 ± 68.8 HU for soft tissue and 383.4 ± 130.9 HU for bone algorithms. A significant correlation between the attenuation in bone algorithm with body weight was noted, where the os penis was less attenuating with increased body weight (pre-contrast: r = -0.479; P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The feline os penis is commonly seen on CT images, being more frequently detected than on radiographs. Its presence should not be mistaken for uroliths in the penile urethra.

Dystrophic mineralisation in chronic exogenous lipid pneumonia in cats.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Exogenous lipid pneumonia with mineralisation of the lung parenchyma was diagnosed in three cats with radiographs, CT and/or bronchoalveolar lavage cytological findings. All three cats had a common clinical history of chronic constipation and long-term forced oral administration of mineral oil. All three cases showed radiographic findings compatible with aspiration pneumonia, with an alveolar pattern in the ventral part of the middle and/or cranial lung lobes. Minor improvement of the radiographic lung pattern in the follow-up studies was seen in two cats, and a miliary 'sponge-like' mineralised pattern appeared in the previously affected lung lobes months to years after the diagnosis. In one cat, patchy fat-attenuating areas in the consolidated lung lobes were present on thoracic CT. Cases 1 and 2 showed respiratory signs at the initial presentation, while in case 3 the radiographic findings were incidental and the cat had never exhibited respiratory signs. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This is the first report to describe dystrophic mineralisation of the lung in exogenous lipid pneumonia and also the first to describe the CT features in cats. Exogenous lipid pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis in cases of miliary 'sponge-like' mineral opacities in the dependent part of the lung lobes on thoracic radiographs or CT in cats, especially in cases of chronic constipation, previously exposed to mineral oil.

Description of digital fluoroscopic excretory urography in healthy New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract are relatively common in rabbits. Survey radiographs and abdominal ultrasound have inherent limitations in the evaluation of the urinary tract in this species; because of that, contrast study modalities are a valuable diagnostic tool in rabbits with urinary disorders. The aims of this study were to describe digital fluoroscopic excretory urography (DFEU) and to determine the urogram phases in healthy New Zealand rabbits. The median time of beginning of the nephrographic and pyelographic phases was 10 seconds (IQR: 10-12 seconds) and 1.39 minutes (IQR: 1.27-1.60 minutes). The median time in which the contrast medium was visible in the urinary bladder was 1.58 minutes (IQR: 1.44-1.72 minutes). Results of this study indicate that DFEU provides a good degree of opacification of the kidneys as well as the ureters, and allows the evaluation of the urogram phases. Text not justifed in the proof version.

Assessment of BCG and inactivated Mycobacterium bovis vaccines in an experimental tuberculosis infection model in sheep.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Animal tuberculosis (TB) is a complex animal health problem that causes disruption to trade and significant economic losses. TB involves a multi-host system where sheep, traditionally considered a rare host of this infection, have been recently included. The aims of this study were to develop an experimental TB infection model in sheep with a Mycobacterium caprae field strain isolated from a tuberculous diseased ewe, and to use this to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two vaccines against TB in sheep, the live-attenuated M. bovis BCG vaccine (Danish strain) and a heat-inactivated M. bovis (HIMB) vaccine. METHODS: Eighteen 2 month-old lambs were experimentally challenged with M. caprae by the endotracheal route (1.5 × 103 CFU). They were separated per treatment group into parenterally vaccinated with a live BCG Danish strain vaccine (n = 6), orally vaccinated with a suspension of HIMB (n = 6) and unvaccinated controls (n = 6). Clinical, immunological, pathological and bacteriological parameters of infection were measured. RESULTS: All lambs were successfully infected and developed gross TB lesions in the respiratory system. The BCG vaccine conferred considerable protection against experimental TB in lambs, as measured by a reduction of the gross lesion volumes and bacterial load. However, HIMB vaccinated animals did not show protection. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes a reliable new experimental model for a better understanding of tuberculosis in sheep. BCG vaccination offers an effective prospect for controlling the disease. Moreover alternative doses and/or routes of administration should be considered to evaluate the efficacy of the HIMB vaccine candidate.

Description and comparison of excretory urography performed during radiography and computed tomography for evaluation of the urinary system in healthy New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of excretory urography performed during radiography (REU) and CT (CTEU) in healthy rabbits, determine timings of urogram phases, and compare sensitivities of REU and CTEU for detection of these phases. ANIMALS 13 New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PROCEDURES Rabbits were screened for signs of systemic and urinary tract disease. An REU examination of each was performed, followed ≥ 5 days later by a CTEU examination. Contrast images from each modality were evaluated for quality of opacification and intervals between initiation of contrast medium administration and detection of various urogram phases. RESULTS Excretory urograms of excellent diagnostic quality were achieved with both imaging modalities. For all rabbits, the nephrographic phase of the urogram appeared in the first postcontrast REU image (obtained between 34 and 40 seconds after initiation of contrast medium administration) and at a median interval of 20 seconds in CTEU images. The pyelographic phase began at a median interval of 1.63 minutes with both imaging modalities. Contrast medium was visible within the urinary bladder at a median interval of 2.20 minutes. Median interval to the point at which the nephrogram and pyelogram were no longer visible in REU images was 8 hours and 2.67 hours, respectively. The CTEU technique was better than the REU technique for evaluating renal parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that REU and, particularly, CTEU may be valuable tools for the diagnosis of renal and urinary tract disease in rabbits; however, additional evaluation in diseased rabbits is required.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-RADIOGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF BILATERAL CONGENITAL URETEROVESICAL JUNCTION STENOSIS CAUSING HYDRONEPHROSIS AND HYDROURETER IN A FERRET (MUSTELA PUTORIUS FURO).

An 8-month-old neutered male ferret was presented for vaccination and preventive treatment for adrenal gland disease. Abdominal ultrasound revealed severe bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Excretory urography and negative contrast cystography showed bilateral ureterovesical junction stenosis. Positive retrograde cystography demonstrated right ureteral reflux. A subcutaneous ureteral bypass was placed in the left kidney; however, it had to be removed 3 months later due to an obstruction and persistent urinary tract infection. Bilateral ureteroneocystotomy was performed. Although congenital strictures are uncommon in veterinary patients, they should be included in the differential diagnosis in ferrets presenting with hydronephrosis and hydroureter of undetermined cause.