J Vet Sci.  2008 Mar;9(1):113-115. 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.1.113.

Hepatic encephalomyelopathy in a calf with congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS)

Affiliations
  • 1Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Laenggassstr. 122, CH-3001 Berne, Switzerland. valeria.cafemarcal@itpa.unibe.ch
  • 2Institute of Neuropathology NeuroCenter, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Bremgartenstr. 109a, Postfach 8466, CH-3001 Berne, Switzerland.
  • 3Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Division of Clinical Neurology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Laenggassstr. 128, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.
  • 4Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Bremgartenstr. 109a, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.

Abstract

A 4-month-old female Holstein Friesian calf was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Berne, Switzerland for evaluation of ataxia, weakness, apathy and stunted growth. Clinical examination revealed generalized ataxia, propioceptive deficits, decreased menace response and sensibility. Postmortem examination did not reveal macroscopic changes of major organs. Histologically, the brain and the spinal cord lesions were characterized by polymicrocavitation, preferentially affecting the white matter fibers at the junction of grey and white matter and by the presence of Alzheimer type II cells. The liver revealed lesions consistent with a congenital portosystemic shunt, characterized by increased numbers of arteriolar profiles and hypoplasia to absence of portal veins. The pathological investigations along with the animal history and clinical signs indicated a hepatic encephalomyelopathy due to a congenital portosystemic shunt.

Keyword

hepatic encephalopathy; Holstein Friesian cattle; pathological investigation; portosystemic shunt

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cattle
Cattle Diseases/*congenital
Cerebrum/pathology
Female
Hepatic Encephalopathy/*veterinary
Liver/pathology
Portal System/*abnormalities

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Simplified drawings illustrating types of portosystemic shunts. (A) Normal liver. (B) Intrahepatic portosytemic shunt. (C) Extrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

  • Fig. 2 Photomicrographs of calf cerebrum. (A) Capsule interna. Note diffuse severe spongy vacuolation in the adjacent areas between grey and white matter. H&E stain. Scale bar = 1 mm. (B) The capsule interna showing severe white matter changes. gm; grey matter. wm; white matter. H&E stain. Scale bar = 100 µm.

  • Fig. 3 Photomicrographs of calf spinal cord. (A) Bilateral symmetric diffuse spongy vacuolation of the grey matter. White matter funiculi not affected. H&E stain. Scale bar = 500 µm. (B) The grey matter intermediate horn showing spongy changes adjacent to neuron. H&E stain. Scale bar = 50 µm.

  • Fig. 4 Photomicrographs of calf liver. (A) Note a hepatic lobule surrounded by numerous portal spaces with absence of portal veins. The distance between portal spaces and central vein is abnormally reduced. H&E stain. Scale bar = 50 µm. (B) The portal area showing proliferation of arterioles and ductules with absence of portal vein. H&E stain. Scale bar = 50 µm.


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