Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI brain changes in a dog with kernicterus and coma
By Belz, Katie M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2013·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: MRI findings in a dog with kernicterus.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog became comatose due to a severe increase in bilirubin levels while being treated for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, a condition where the body destroys its own red blood cells. An MRI of her brain showed specific changes that indicated kernicterus, a serious condition caused by high bilirubin levels affecting the brain. Unfortunately, despite the findings, the dog did not recover, and the condition was confirmed during a necropsy. This case highlights the importance of MRI in diagnosing kernicterus in dogs, which can be difficult to recognize.
People also search for: dog coma high bilirubin · kernicterus in dogs · MRI brain dog treatment · immune-mediated hemolytic anemia dog symptoms
Abstract
A severe increase in total bilirubin coincided with a decline in neurologic status to comatose in a 9 yr old spayed female mixed-breed dog being treated for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. MRI of the brain was performed to investigate potential causes for the neurologic signs. MRI revealed bilaterally symmetrical hyperintensities within the caudate nuclei, globus pallidus, thalamus, deep cerebellar nuclei, and cortical gray matter on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, which coincided with areas of bilirubin deposition and neuronal necrosis (kernicterus) identified on necropsy examination. This is the second case report of an adult dog exhibiting kernicterus, and the first report to document MRI findings associated with that condition. Kernicterus is an uncommonly reported complication of hyperbilirubinemia in dogs, but is potentially underreported due to difficulties in recognizing subtle lesions and distinguishing kernicterus from other potential causes of neurologic abnormalities with readily available antemortem tests. MRI may be helpful in supporting the diagnosis of kernicterus.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23690488/