Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Melanoma as a cause of spinal cord compression in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1990
- Authors:
- Schott, H C et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at two gray horses that had spinal cord compression caused by melanomas, which are tumors that can develop in the skin or other tissues. Even though both horses had tumors in the same area of their spine, they showed different signs of neurological problems and progressed at different rates. While there were only a few skin tumors visible, both horses had a lot of internal spread of the disease. One horse was diagnosed before it died, and surgery was done to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord. The findings suggest that spinal melanoma should be considered when diagnosing neurological issues in older gray horses.
Abstract
Spinal cord compression by melanomas at C7-T1 is described in 2 horses. Despite similar location of the lesions, the onset of neurologic signs and clinical progression varied. Both horses were gray, but few cutaneous melanomas were found. Internal dissemination, however, was extensive in both horses. Antemortem diagnosis was made in one horse, and surgical decompression of the spinal cord was performed. Neoplasms of the vertebral canal and spinal cord are uncommon in horses. Melanoma in the spinal canal should be included in the differential diagnosis of neurologic disease, especially in mature gray horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2351603/