Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with tongue paralysis caused by neck joint cysts seen on MRI
By Ji, Minha et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Magnetic resonance imaging features of bilateral multiloculated extraneural ganglion cysts of the occipito-atlanto-axial joint causing hypoglossal nerve paralysis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 14-year-old spayed female Miniature Pinscher was brought in because she was curling her tongue, having trouble swallowing, drooling excessively, and had swelling under her tongue. After a thorough examination and tests, the vet found no issues except for her tongue symptoms. An MRI showed a multilobed cyst in her neck that was pressing on a nerve controlling her tongue. The cyst was surgically removed, and her symptoms improved significantly afterward.
People also search for: dog tongue curling · Miniature Pinscher swallowing problems · dog drooling treatment · ganglion cyst in dogs · dog MRI findings
Abstract
A 14-year-old spayed female Miniature Pinscher presented with tongue curling, dysphagia, hypersalivation, and sublingual gland swelling. Comprehensive evaluation, including neurologic and musculoskeletal examinations, blood work, and urinalysis, revealed no abnormalities other than tongue-related signs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a multilobed cystic structure in the occipito-atlanto-axial joint, compressing the right hypoglossal canal. The lesion appeared cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-like on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, and hyperintense compared with CSF on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery T2-weighted images. The scans suggested mucinous content with enhanced peripheral areas on contrast-enhanced images. Surgical removal and drainage of this cyst were performed, and clinical signs improved markedly. The dorsal cyst was tentatively diagnosed as a ganglion cyst based on histopathologic and imaging findings. Ganglion cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dogs with similar MRI findings and neurologic signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39240043/