Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and MRI of unknown brain inflammation in 16 cats
By Negrin, Arianna et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2017·School of Veterinary Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Feline meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin: A retrospective analysis of 16 cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old cat was brought in with symptoms like stumbling, seizures, and sensitivity in the spine. After tests, the vet found signs of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, but no infections. The cat was treated with corticosteroids and other medications, which helped many of the cats improve. At follow-up, some cats showed only mild symptoms, while others were completely back to normal. This suggests that with the right treatment, cats with this condition can have a good recovery.
People also search for: cat seizures treatment · cat ataxia causes · feline meningoencephalomyelitis symptoms
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the signalment, clinical signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, treatment, and outcome of feline meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (FMUO). Medical records from 16 cats meeting the inclusion criteria of CSF pleocytosis, negative CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-infectious disease results, and characteristic MRI findings were retrospectively reviewed. Median age was 9.4 years. Clinical signs included ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, seizures, and spinal hyperesthesia. The CSF nucleated cell count was increased (median 70.7 cells/μL), with predominantly mixed pleocytosis and CSF protein concentration was increased in 15/16 cats. Magnetic resonance imaging showed intraparenchymal infiltrative ill-defined lesions in 13 cases. All cats received a corticosteroid-based treatment protocol; additional therapies included lomustine, cytarabine, and anticonvulsant medications. Mild neurological signs were recorded in 5/12 cats but 7/12 cats were neurologically normal at re-examination. This represents the first study of feline MUO, highlighting FMUO as an important differential diagnosis in cats with variable neurological presentation. Prognosis appears to be good with immunomodulatory therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28966357/