Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with brain fluid buildup and spread of choroid plexus cancer
By Carisch, Lea et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypertensive nonobstructive hydrocephalus as main magnetic resonance imaging feature in a dog with disseminated choroid plexus carcinomatosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4.5-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback was brought to the vet because he was acting confused, had neck pain, and one of his pupils wasn't responding to light. An MRI showed he had a type of brain swelling called nonobstructive hydrocephalus, but there was no visible tumor. Sadly, after he passed away, a postmortem exam revealed he had a widespread choroid plexus tumor, which can cause this kind of brain swelling even without a visible mass. This case highlights the importance of considering hidden tumors when dogs show signs of brain issues.
People also search for: dog confusion neck pain · Rhodesian Ridgeback brain tumor symptoms · nonobstructive hydrocephalus in dogs
Abstract
Obstructive or nonobstructive hypertensive hydrocephalus is reported in choroid plexus tumors. Choroid plexus tumors typically present as T2-weighted hyperintense intraventricular masses with occasional cerebrospinal fluid-drop metastasis. Acquired neoplastic nonobstructive hydrocephalus without visible mass lesion in magnetic resonance imaging is not reported in dogs. A 4.5-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback presented with reduced mental status, unilaterally absent pupillary light reflex, and neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a nonobstructive hydrocephalus and widened lumbar subarachnoid space with no evidence of a primary mass lesion. Postmortem examination confirmed a disseminated choroid plexus tumor affecting the ependyma and choroid plexi of all ventricles and the cerebral and lumbar subarachnoid space. Disseminated choroid plexus carcinomatosis should be considered as a possible cause of hypertensive hydrocephalus even in absence of a primary mass.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37224288/