CASE 34

  SIGNALMENT:

  7 year old female German Shorthaired Pointer.
 

HISTORY: Acute onset 2 weeks prior to referral of weakness in the left hindlimb and would not “hold her tail up.”  Minimal response to anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).  DIAGNOSIS: Physical examination showed hindlimb ataxia with proprioceptive deficits in both hindlimbs.  The right rear was felt to be worse than the left.  Reflexes were upper motor neuron to the femoral and sciatic nerves.  No lesions were noted on plain films and a spinal tap and myelogram was subsequently done under general anesthetic.

Figure 1 Lateral view of the lumbar spine during myelography.  The lesion is noted over the entire body of L6 as marked compression of the dye column flow in this region.  Normally, a gradual tapering of the dye column flow should be seen as the cauda equina is imaged.

An extra-dural compressive lesion of the caudal lumbar spinal cord is noted over the body of L6. (Figure 1) TREATMENT: Cytology of the cerebrospinal fluid was normal and the dog underwent a dorsal laminectomy centered over L6 but encompassing L5-6 through L6-7.  A diffuse, amorphous mass was found below the spinal cord and between the nerve roots of the cauda equina. A tentative diagnosis of neoplasia was made and the owner informed of the findings during the surgical procedure.  Intra-operative euthanasia was done at the owner’s request. HISTOPATHOLOGY: Neurofibrosarcoma This case is unusual in the onset of symptoms was acute.  Generally, neoplastic lesions present as slowly progressive rather than with an acute onset.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Thank you to Dr. Pat Grogan and Dr. Craig Spence, Bartlesville Animal Hospital, for this referral.  CASE ARCHIVES: Click on Case Archives to access a list of past case features.