Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spinal cord cavernous malformations causing paraparesis in two dogs
By MacKillop, E et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2007·North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intramedullary cavernous malformation of the spinal cord in two dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old mixed breed dog was brought in for weakness in the back legs, known as paraparesis. After tests, the vet found a problem in the spinal cord that was causing these symptoms. Unfortunately, both dogs in this case had severe bleeding in the spinal cord, and one had a noticeable mass. Intramedullary cavernous malformations (CVMs) were diagnosed, which are rare but can lead to serious spinal cord issues. Sadly, both dogs did not survive due to the severity of their conditions.
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Abstract
Intramedullary cavernous malformations (CVMs) of the spinal cord were diagnosed in 2 adult dogs that presented for paraparesis. An intramedullary spinal cord lesion was identified on a myelogram in the first dog, and expansion of the vertebral canal was evident on radiographs in the second. Extensive intraparenchymal hemorrhage was found on gross postmortem examination in both dogs, and a distinct lobulated intramedullary mass was evident in the second dog. Microscopically, both lesions were composed of dilated, thin-walled vascular channels with little-to-no intervening neural parenchyma. Both dogs had evidence of channel thrombosis along with perilesional hemorrhage and hemosiderin accumulation. The second dog had additional degenerative changes, including thickened fibrous channel walls with hyalinization, foci of mineralization, and occasional tongues of entrapped gliotic neuropil. CVMs appear to be an uncommon cause of both acute and chronic spinal cord disease in the dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17606517/