Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Calf with hindlimb weakness diagnosed with spinal neuroblastoma
By Steinberg, H et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2006·The Department of Pathobiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neuroblastoma with neuronal differentiation in the spinal cord in an Aberdeen Angus heifer calf.
- Species:
- cattle
Plain-English summary
A 5-month-old female Aberdeen Angus heifer was brought to the vet because she was having trouble with her hind legs, which were becoming increasingly uncoordinated. She had been healthy until about 4 months old, but after several tests, including X-rays and a spinal fluid analysis, the vet suspected a spinal cord issue. Despite treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, her condition did not improve, and she was eventually euthanized for further examination. A necropsy revealed a tumor in her spinal cord that was affecting her nerves, which was confirmed to be a type of cancer called neuroblastoma.
People also search for: calf hindlimb ataxia · Aberdeen Angus heifer spinal cord tumor · neuroblastoma in calves treatment
Abstract
A 5-month-old, female, Aberdeen Angus heifer presented to the veterinary medical teaching hospital for evaluation of slowly progressive hindlimb ataxia. The calf was clinically normal until 4 months of age, following routine pregnancy and delivery. Neurologic examination revealed marked symmetric spastic hindlimb paraparesis. Thoracolumbar radiographs and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were unremarkable. A presumptive diagnosis of T3-L3 myelopathy was made, and neurologic status remained static for 3 months with broad-spectrum antibiotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy. Additional diagnostic tests were refused, and a necropsy was performed following euthanasia. A moderately well delineated, reddish-tan, soft mass 18 mm in diameter replaced 80% of the fourth lumbar spinal cord segment. Histologic examination revealed two distinct features: undifferentiated, primitive, polygonal-to-round cells with typical morphologic characteristics of primitive neuroectoderm; and interspersed areas containing myelinated axons and cells with neuronal differentiation. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed the presence of primitive neuroepithelium and cells with neuronal differentiation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16537939/