Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with middle cranial fossa syndrome linked to leishmaniasis
By Sergio Sanchez Briones & Alba Farre Marine; Alejandro Lujan Feliu-Pascual·Published in Open Veterinary Journal·2026·Neurology/Neurosurgery Service, Hospital Veterinario AUNA Especialidades Veterinarias IVC Evidensia, Parque Empresarial Tactica, C/ Algepser, 22-1, Paterna, Valencia 46980, Spain, LY·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Middle cranial fossa syndrome presumptively secondary to leishmaniasis in a dog: A case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 16-month-old male crossbreed dog was brought in for neurological issues, including eye problems and reduced sensation, which suggested damage to the nerves in the brain. Tests showed signs of an infection, and imaging revealed bone lesions in the skull and spine. A sample confirmed the presence of Leishmania parasites, which cause leishmaniasis, a disease transmitted by sandflies. The dog was treated with medications including meglumine antimoniate, allopurinol, and prednisone, leading to a quick improvement in his condition.
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Abstract
Background: Middle cranial fossa syndrome refers to a group of neurological signs caused by damage to the oculomotor, trochlear, abducent, and trigeminal nerves and sympathetic innervation to the eye as they cross the middle cranial fossa due to different pathologies. Neurological deficits include external ophthalmoparesis or ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, reduced or absent direct and indirect pupillary light reflex, mydriasis, and reduced or absent corneal and nasal sensation. Neoplasia is the most common etiology in dogs and cats. Canine leishmaniosis is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by Leishmania spp., which has been shown to affect several organs. Although rare, cases of damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems have been reported; however, no cases with signs of middle cranial fossa syndrome have been described. Case description: A 16-month-old male neutered 1.5 kg cross breed dog was presented for evaluation with neurological signs consistent with a multifocal neuroanatomical localization (middle cranial fossa, optic chiasm, and cervical and thoracolumbar spinal cord). Laboratory tests revealed hematological and biochemical abnormalities compatible with an infectious process. Computed tomography revealed osteolytic lesions of the basisphenoid bone at the middle cranial fossa and several vertebrae. Cytological analysis of the vertebral lesions identified Leishmania spp. amastigotes Treatment with meglumine antimoniate, allopurinol, and prednisone resulted in rapid clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusion: Leishmaniasis is a new potential etiology for middle cranial fossa syndrome in dogs. [Open Vet. J. 2026; 16(1.000): 747-753]
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.71