Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog suddenly blind from pancreatic cancer spread to pituitary gland
By Gutierrez-Quintana, Rodrigo et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2013·College of Medical, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pituitary metastasis of pancreatic origin in a dog presenting with acute-onset blindness.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old English Springer Spaniel was brought to the vet after suddenly going blind within the last 24 hours. An MRI revealed a single mass on the pituitary gland that was pressing on the optic nerves, which was causing the blindness. Unfortunately, the dog was euthanized before further tests could be done, and a tissue examination later showed that the mass was due to a type of pancreatic cancer that had spread to the pituitary gland. This case highlights the importance of considering pituitary metastasis as a possible cause of sudden blindness in dogs.
People also search for: dog sudden blindness · pituitary tumor in dogs · pancreatic cancer in dogs · dog eye problems · dog euthanasia decision
Abstract
Pituitary metastases have rarely been recorded in dogs, and to date, none of those reported have been of pancreatic origin. MRI findings are available for only one of those cases. Herein the authors present an 11 yr old English springer spaniel diagnosed with pituitary metastasis of pancreatic origin with a 24 hr history of blindness and only a single lesion on MRI. Neurologic and ophthalmologic examinations localized the lesion to the optic nerves, optic tracts, or optic chiasm. MRI showed a single lesion characterized by a well-circumscribed pituitary mass with extrasellar extension, causing compression of the optic chiasm. Signal intensity was unusual as enhancement could not be appreciated after contrast administration. The dog was euthanized without further diagnostic tests. Histopathologic examination revealed a poorly differentiated exocrine pancreatic carcinoma with widespread metastasis involving the pituitary gland. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first such case reported in a dog. Pituitary metastases should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs presenting with acute-onset blindness and for single brain masses affecting the pituitary gland.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24051261/