Canine Butterfly Glioblastomas: A Neuroradiological Review

Abstract

In humans, high-grade gliomas may infiltrate across the corpus callosum resulting in bihemispheric lesions that may have symmetrical, winged-like appearances. This particular tumor manifestation has been coined a “butterfly” glioma (BG). While canine and human gliomas share many neuroradiological and pathological features, the BG morphology has not been previously reported in dogs. Here, we describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of BG in three dogs and review the potential differential diagnoses based on neuroimaging findings. All dogs presented for generalized seizures and interictal neurological deficits referable to multifocal or diffuse forebrain disease. MRI examinations revealed asymmetrical (2/3) or symmetrical (1/3), bihemispheric intra-axial mass lesions that predominantly affected the frontoparietal lobes that were associated with extensive perilesional edema, and involvement of the corpus callosum. The masses displayed heterogeneous T1, T2, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal intensities, variable contrast enhancement (2/3), and mass effect. All tumors demonstrated classical histopathological features of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), including glial cell pseudopalisading, serpentine necrosis, microvascular proliferation as well as invasion of the corpus callosum by neoplastic astrocytes. Although rare, GBM should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs with an MRI evidence of asymmetric or symmetric bilateral, intra-axial cerebral mass lesions with signal characteristics compatible with glioma.

Clinical features, diagnosis, and survival analysis of dogs with glioma

“…Reported human and canine butterfly gliomas to date are HAs; however, our findings indicate that, as in gliomatosis cerebri, this represents a pattern of spread rather than a distinct nosologic entity. 19,24,53 Extension of glioma to the pituitary gland had not been described in dogs and has only been confirmed once in humans. 54 Other infrequent features reported here include penetration into the bone and multifocal distribution.…”

“…8,17,19,23 Extension through the corpus callosum into the contralateral hemisphere was documented as butterfly glioma. 19,24 Gliomatosis cerebri growth pattern was recorded as recently defined. 19,25 Evidence of extension into the subarachnoid space (tumor spread through the pia mater with or without proliferation within the leptomeninges), ventricular invasion or drop metastases was noted.…”

Maximizing Local Access to Therapeutic Deliveries in Glioblastoma. Part V: Clinically Relevant Model for Testing New Therapeutic Approaches

“…The histopathological and diagnostic imaging features of canine gliomas ( Figure 1) are also remarkable similar to their human counterparts (31)(32)(33)(34)(35). These shared morphologic features facilitate comparative classification and grading of tumors using World Health Organization criteria (36) and performing objective imaging-based therapeutic response assessments using the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) system criteria (28,37).…”

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging features of a canine glioblastoma model

“…Therefore, both DWI and DSC-PWI have been applied in the clinical imaging of human GBM as surrogate markers for tumorigenicity and angiogenesis, reflecting GBM grade and prognosis [19,33]. Previous studies that mentioned spontaneously arising GBM in the canine model reported that the imaging and pathologic features of spontaneous GBM were similar to those characteristics of human GBM [34,35]. However, these studies did not use the current clinical imaging MRI technique using DWI and DSC-PWI but only showed necrotic peripheral enhancing lesions on the conventional MRI technique.…”