Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Buck, Amy M & Hunt, Robert J
- Affiliation:
- Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 1.5-month-old thoroughbred filly was born with a meningoencephalocele, which is a condition where brain tissue and protective membranes protrude through a defect in the skull. The condition was diagnosed using X-rays and MRI, and the filly underwent surgery to remove the abnormal tissue, close the protective layer around the brain, and repair the skull with a titanium mesh. After the surgery, tests confirmed that the tissue removed contained brain cells, and importantly, the filly showed no signs of neurological problems seven months later. The surgery was successful, marking a significant achievement as it is the first reported successful treatment of this condition in a horse.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical correction of a closed meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: One thoroughbred filly, 1.5 months old at the time of surgery. METHODS: A meningoencephalocele was identified at birth and diagnosed with radiography and MRI. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, the dura was closed, and the defect in the skull was corrected with a titanium mesh. RESULTS: Histopathology confirmed the presence of neural parenchyma consisting of neurons and glial cells. The filly remained without neurologic deficits 7 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele was performed and considered successful, with no long-term neurologic deficits postoperatively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Given the paucity of neural tube defect cases in the equine population, no surgical corrective techniques have been reported in the literature. This Case Report describes the first successful surgical treatment of a meningoencephalocele in a horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31135063/