Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CSF from a puppy with a cerebral vascular hamartoma.
- Journal:
- Veterinary clinical pathology
- Year:
- 2023
- Authors:
- Williams, Marjorie J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-week-old puppy was brought to a veterinary specialty center because it was having frequent seizures and had a head shape that looked dome-like, which raised concerns about fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus). Scans showed signs of brain swelling and a mass that had unusual mineral deposits. Tests on the fluid surrounding the brain showed a high number of white blood cells, some red blood cells, and a significant increase in protein, indicating ongoing bleeding in the brain. A biopsy of the mass revealed it was a type of abnormal blood vessel growth called a vascular hamartoma. The findings suggest that the unusual crystals found in the fluid were linked to this bleeding, and recognizing these crystals could help diagnose similar issues in the future.
Abstract
A 9-week-old puppy with refractory seizures and a dome-shaped head presented to the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine Specialty Center for suspected hydrocephalus. Computerized tomography (CT) findings included transtentorial herniation and an intra-axial mass with dystrophic mineralization. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed an increased nucleated cell count of 1100/μl (RI < 5/μl), erythrocyte count of 2.2 × 10/μl, and markedly increased microprotein of 1939 mg/dl (RI < 30 mg/dl). On cytologic examination of the CSF, numerous erythrophagocytic, and hemosiderin-laden macrophages were observed, which indicated chronic active hemorrhage. Many neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes that contained numerous intracytoplasmic, pleomorphic, bright yellow crystals were observed. Considering the ongoing hemorrhage, the crystals were presumed to be hematoidin. A biopsy with histopathology was performed on the intra-axial mass, and the results were consistent with a vascular hamartoma. We speculate that the formation of these crystals was related to the ongoing hemorrhage associated with the vascular hamartoma. Identification of these crystals may be useful to aid in the identification of chronic hemorrhage associated with vascular malformations or lesions within the central nervous system.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35974430/