Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse showing dullness and staggering due to brain cyst?
By Kelly, D F & Watson, W J·Published in Equine veterinary journal·1976·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Epidermoid cyst of the brain in the horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An older Connemara mare had a neurological problem that lasted for three weeks, showing signs like being dull, pressing her head against things, staggering when she walked, and being overly excitable. These symptoms would come and go every few days, with times in between when she seemed normal. After she passed away, a thorough examination showed that she had an epidermoid cyst, which is a type of growth, on the surface of her brain. This cyst was likely a birth defect that grew larger over time, causing the neurological issues she experienced. Unfortunately, the treatment options for this condition were not mentioned, but the findings suggest that the cyst was the cause of her symptoms.
Abstract
An aged Connemara mare had a neurological illness lasting 3 weeks and characterised by episodes of dullness, head-pressing, staggering gait and hyperexcitability. The signs recurred at intervals of 3 to 4 days, with intervening periods of apparent normality. Post-mortem examination revealed an epidermoid cyst on the dorsal surface of the occipital lobe of the left cerebral hemisphere. The cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and contained desquamated keratinised material and blood. The lesion is considered to be a congenital malformation which enlarges and produces space-occupying signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/954719/