Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with spinal mass causing leg weakness improved after surgery
By Taylor-Brown, Frances E et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2018·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-IMAGING AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A VERTEBRAL HAMARTOMA IN A CAT.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet because it was having trouble walking and seemed to be in pain in its back. Imaging tests revealed a calcified mass on the spine that was pressing on the spinal cord. The vet performed surgery to remove the mass, and after a year, the cat showed significant improvement in its ability to walk and overall comfort. The mass was diagnosed as a vascular hamartoma, which is a type of benign growth.
People also search for: cat back pain · cat walking problems · cat spinal surgery recovery · cat mass on spine treatment
Abstract
A 9-month-old domestic shorthair cat had progressive ambulatory paraparesis, proprioceptive ataxia, and thoracolumbar hyperesthesia. An extradural mass affecting the left pedicle and lamina of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) causing marked spinal cord impingement was identified in magnetic resonance (MR) images. The mass was predominantly calcified in computed tomographic (CT) images. A hemilaminectomy was performed to resect the mass. Clinical signs were greatly improved at 12-month follow-up. The histopathologic diagnosis was vascular hamartoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the MR characteristics of a vascular hamartoma associated with the vertebral column.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27910172/