J Vet Sci.  2016 Jun;17(2):225-234. 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.2.225.

Imaging and surgical outcomes of spinal tumors in 18 dogs and one cat

• Besalti O
• Caliskan M
• Can P
• Vural SA
• Algin O
• Ahlat O

• KMID: 2413172
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2016.17.2.225

Abstract

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, histological appearances and surgical outcomes of 18 dogs and one cat with spinal tumors are presented. Medical records of the cases admitted for spinal disorders were reviewed, and cases of spinal tumors that were diagnosed by MRI and confirmed by histological examination were included in this study. T1 weighted, T2 weighted and contrast enhanced T1 weighted images were taken and interpreted to evaluate the spinal tumors. The tumors were diagnosed as: meningioma (n = 6), ependymoma (n = 1), nerve sheath tumor (n = 4), metastatic spinal tumor (n = 3), osteosarcoma (n = 2), osteoma (n = 1), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1), and nephroblastoma (n = 1). Thirteen cases underwent surgical operation and the remaining six cases were euthanized at the request of the owners. The neurological status of the surgical cases did not deteriorate, except for one dog that showed ependymoma in the early period after the operation. These results indicate the potential for surgical gross total tumor removal of vertebral tumors to provide better quality of life and surgical collection of histological specimens for definitive diagnosis. For effective case management, dedicated MRI examination is important to accurate evaluation of the spinal tumors, and surgical treatment is useful for extradural and intradural-extramedullary spinal tumors.

Keyword

dog; histology; magnetic resonance imaging; spinal tumor

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cat Diseases/*diagnosis/*surgery
Cats
Dog Diseases/*diagnosis/*surgery
Dogs
Female
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/veterinary
Male
Spinal Cord Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging/surgery/*veterinary
Treatment Outcome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Osteoma. Lateral X-ray image showing marked bony proliferation over the 8th–9th thoracic vertebrae (arrow in A). T2-weighted (T2W) images show hypointense mass (arrows in B and D). Coronal plane fat-suppressed postcontrast image demonstrates right paraspinal venous engorgement (broken arrows) and lytic-destructive lesion (arrow) with gadolinium enhancement (C). Contrast-material enhanced axial T1-weighted (T1W) images obtained at the level of T7–T8 show heterogeneous contrast-material enhancement and spinal canal narrowing (arrows in E and F).

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  Fig. 2 Well differentiated bone tissue (arrow; osteoma). H&E stain. 250×.

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  Fig. 3 (A) Contrast enhanced mid-sagittal T1 weighted image of thoracolumbar spine of a dog with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Metastatic tumors were contrast enhanced in T1W images (arrow heads). (B) Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. H&E stain. 100× (B).

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  Fig. 4 Mid-sagittal T2W image of lumbar spine (A) transverse T2W image at the level of L6 (B) in a dog with ependymoma hyperintense masses located in the spinal cord parenchyma in T2W images. (C) Pseudorosette with central fibrovascular stroma (ependymoma). H&E stain. 400× (C).

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