Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Results of magnetic resonance imaging in 14 cats with meningoencephalitis.
- Journal:
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Negrin, Arianna et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United Kingdom
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
This study looked at the medical records and MRI scans of 14 cats with inflammation in their brains and spinal cords. Among these cats, eight had a serious viral infection called feline infectious peritonitis, and two had an infection caused by a parasite known as toxoplasmosis. The MRI scans showed signs of brain issues in 10 of the cats, with different types of abnormalities visible depending on the imaging technique used. While MRI didn't catch every case of inflammation, it provided valuable information about the location and nature of the brain lesions, which can help veterinarians tell the difference between tumors and inflammatory diseases. Overall, the findings suggest that MRI can be a useful tool in diagnosing these conditions, but it may not reveal everything.
Abstract
Medical records and magnetic resonance (MR) images of 14 cats with inflammatory diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) were reviewed retrospectively. Cases included eight cats with feline infectious peritonitis and two cats with toxoplasmosis. Abnormalities affecting the CNS were observed in MR images in 10 (71%) cats. Intracranial lesions appeared as slightly hypointense foci in T1-weighted images in two (14%) cats, as hyperintense foci in T2-weighted images in seven (50%) cats and as hyperintense foci after intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast medium in 10 (71%) cats. In six cats with lesions in T1- and/or T2-weighted images, additional lesions were visible in T1-weighted images obtained after gadolinium-based contrast medium administration. In three cats, lesions were visible only after contrast medium administration. In our study, MR imaging (MRI) did not appear to detect all cases of CNS inflammation in the population of cats with inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); however, MRI adds information about the sites and morphology of intracranial lesions that should help to distinguish between neoplasia and inflammatory conditions and, possibly, between different inflammatory conditions.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17052935/