Ganglioneuroma of the brachial plexus in two cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus).

Abstract

Ganglioneuroma involving the brachial plexus, paraspinal ganglia, and cervical-thoracic spinal cord was diagnosed in 2 adult cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). Both birds had a chronic 1-year history of ataxia and perching difficulty. At necropsy, each bird had a unilateral, firm, gelatinous white to tan multilobular mass at the thoracic inlet expanding and partially obliterating the brachial plexus and cervical spinal cord. Histologically, the masses were characterized by a locally infiltrative neoplasm comprised of spindloid cells forming streams and sheets with interspersed distinct neuron cell bodies consistent with ganglion cells. The spindloid cell population was immunohistochemically positive for neurofilament protein in one of the birds.