Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Computed tomography-guided brain biopsy for in vivo diagnosis of a cholesterinic granuloma in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Vanschandevijl, Katleen et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old warmblood mare was having sudden problems with her nervous system, which led to a veterinary evaluation. A special imaging test called computed tomography (CT scan) showed large masses in her brain, and the vets suspected they were cholesterinic granulomas, which are abnormal growths related to cholesterol. To confirm this diagnosis, they performed a brain biopsy using the CT scan to guide them, and the results showed they were correct. Thankfully, the mare did not have any complications from the procedure, her symptoms improved, and she was able to return to her normal training without any further issues.
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old warmblood mare was evaluated following an acute onset of neurologic abnormalities. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Computed tomography of the head revealed large masses in both lateral ventricles, and a presumptive diagnosis of cholesterinic granuloma was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Freehand biopsy of the intracranial masses was performed under computed tomographic guidance, and histologic examination of biopsy specimens confirmed the diagnosis. No adverse effects associated with the brain biopsy procedure were encountered. Clinical signs resolved, and long-term follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of neurologic deficits. The horse was able to return to its previous level of training. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that computed tomographic-guided brain biopsy is feasible in horses and can be used to establish a diagnosis in horses with intracranial masses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18795858/