Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Young Bullmastiff cross dog with brain disease and MRI findings
By Suiter, Emma et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2024·Pride Veterinary Centre, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Novel MRI and histopathological findings in a young Bullmastiff cross dog with mitochondrial fission encephalopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old male Bullmastiff cross was brought to the vet because he was having trouble with coordination and showed changes in his behavior. An MRI scan revealed some unusual brain changes, and further tests showed he had a rare genetic condition called mitochondrial fission encephalopathy, which affects how his brain cells use energy. Unfortunately, this condition is serious and can lead to ongoing neurological issues. The findings from this case help improve understanding of how this disease affects dogs.
People also search for: Bullmastiff coordination problems · dog behavior changes · mitochondrial disease in dogs · puppy ataxia treatment
Abstract
A 9-month-old male Bullmastiff cross dog was presented with a history of progressive proprioceptive ataxia and behavior changes. Neuroanatomical localization was multifocal with forebrain and vestibulo-cerebellum involvement. MRI identified moderate diffuse cerebral sulci widening, dilation of the ventricular system, and rounded, well-defined, bilaterally symmetrical T2W, FLAIR, and T2* hyperintense intra-axial lesions affecting the olivary nuclei. Histopathological examination was indicative of a primary mitochondrial disorder. This was confirmed following genetic analysis which identified mitochondrial fission encephalopathy with a homozygous frameshift variant in the MFF gene. This case report documents diagnostic imaging and histopathological findings not previously reported in dogs affected with mitochondrial fission encephalopathy, suggesting a different selective regional vulnerability of the neurons.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38706372/