Diffuse meningeal oligodendrogliomatosis characterized by spinal intra-parenchymal nodules on magnetic resonance imaging in a dog.

Abstract

Meningeal oligodendrogliomatosis is a relatively rare neoplasm in dogs. Ante-mortem diagnosis is difficult due to nonspecific neurologic signs overlapping other conditions. The only reported consistent feature is a high level of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid. Veterinary literature offers only 1 case report with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of canine spinal meningeal oligodendrogliomatosis in a single dog. In contrast to the predominant diffuse meningeal enhancement shown in that report, we present the case of a young female cane corso dog with marked nodular invasion of the spinal cord on MRI, confirmed by histopathology to be consistent with diffuse meningeal oligodendrogliomatosis. Key clinical message: Meningeal oligodendrogliomatosis should be a differential diagnosis when marked nodular invasion of the spinal cord is seen on MRI, both with and without meningeal enhancement.