Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Seizures in three dogs linked to brain granular cell tumors diagnosis
By Levitin, Hilary A et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2019·Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The utility of intraoperative impression smear cytology of intracranial granular cell tumors: Three cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs, a 7-year-old Chihuahua, a 14-year-old Shih Tzu, and a 9-year-old Maltese, were brought in for new seizures. Brain scans showed large tumors, and the veterinarians performed surgery to take samples for testing. During the surgery, they used a method called impression smear cytology, which helped identify the tumors as granular cell tumors. This quick diagnosis allowed the vets to make informed decisions during the surgery. All three dogs were diagnosed with this rare type of brain tumor, highlighting the usefulness of this technique in veterinary medicine.
People also search for: dog seizures treatment · Chihuahua brain tumor · Shih Tzu seizure causes · Maltese tumor diagnosis · granular cell tumor in dogs
Abstract
Two adult male dogs (a 7-year-old shorthaired Chihuahua and 14-year-old Shih Tzu) and one adult female dog (a 9-year-old Maltese) presented for evaluation of new-onset seizure activity. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated a large, poorly marginated T2-weighted hyperintense, and strong contrast enhancing extra-axial mass in each case. A surgical biopsy for histopathologic evaluation was elected in all cases, and intraoperative impression smears were successfully obtained. Intraoperative cytology identified a homogenous population of round to polygonal cells with central to eccentric nuclei, coarse chromatin, and variably amphophilic to eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. Cytologic findings led to a suspected diagnosis of granular cell tumor (GCT) in all cases. Histopathologic review identified a densely cellular, unencapsulated neoplastic mass comprised of sheets of large round to polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm containing numerous eosinophilic intracytoplasmic granules, confirming the diagnosis of GCT in all cases. The cases reported here are unique in that they reveal an accurate intraoperative cytologic diagnosis of a rare canine central nervous system neoplasm. Intraoperative cytology of the intracranial masses could provide clinicians with important and quick diagnostic and prognostic information; therefore, expediting decisions made intraoperatively. Further research is warranted to determine the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative cytology for neoplasia in veterinary patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31062410/