Canine cerebrospinal fluid total nucleated cell counts and cytology associations with the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities

Abstract

Introduction:The combination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often used to investigate intracranial disease in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if the total nucleated cell count (TNCC) or cytology findings in abnormal CSF are associated with the prevalence of MRI abnormalities. Materials and methods: For each case, the TNCC was categorized into one of three groups:6 /L); and C (.100×10 6 /L). Cytology findings were categorized by the predominant cell type as lymphocytic, monocytoid, neutrophilic, or eosinopilic. MRI descriptions were classified as either normal or abnormal, and abnormal studies were further evaluated for the presence of specific characteristics (multifocal or diffuse disease versus focal disease, positive T2-weighted hyperintensity, positive FLAIR hyperintensity, contrast enhancement, mass effect, and the presence of poorly or well-defined lesion margins). Results: Forty-five dogs met the inclusion criteria and MRI abnormalities were found in 29/45 (64%) dogs. TNCCs were not associated with the prevalence of MRI abnormalities or specific characteristics. Cytology categories were significantly associated with the prevalence of MRI abnormalities (P,0.001). Specifically, monocytoid cytology was 22.8 times more likely to have an abnormal MRI than lymphocytic cytology. CSF cytology was not significantly associated with specific abnormal MRI characteristics. Conclusion: There are minimal associations between CSF abnormalities and the prevalence of MRI abnormalities. These results support the continued importance of utilizing both tests when investigating intracranial disease. When CSF analysis must be performed initially, this study has demonstrated that an abnormal CSF with a monocytoid cytology supports the value of performing a brain MRI in dogs with evidence of intracranial neurological disease.

Neurological manifestations in dogs with acute leukemia

“…In the study reported here, CSF cytology was not diagnostic for leukemia. The predominance of monocytoid cells and mixed pleocytosis observed in this study are non-specific and can be observed with any cause of CNS necrosis or myelomalacia and have been associated with various disease processes such as granulomatous meningoencephalitis, infectious agents (e.g., fungal, protozoal, or Ehrlichia ), and steroid-responsive meningitis; however, less frequently with meningioma ( 39 , 40 ). Flow cytometry was only performed on peripheral blood.…”

A retrospective study of structural brain lesions identified by magnetic resonance imaging in 114 cats with neurological signs

“…The reason for not performing CSF collection was the potential for cerebellar herniation. Contraindications to CSF collection through the cerebellomedullary cistern are atlantoaxial subluxation, Chiari-like malformation, and the risk of cerebellar herniation through the foramen magnum [ 33 ]. Cats with brain herniation have a significantly lower level of consciousness in their Modified Glasgow Coma Scale score [ 34 ].…”

Cauda equina syndrome in dogs - a review

“…The CSF analysis in dogs with spinal pathology is useful only when the results are correlated with the history, clinical findings and imaging studies (Dewey 2008;Lorenz et al 2011). To establish the diagnosis by this method is possible only in situations where microorganisms or neoplastic cells are identified in CSF samples (Musteata et al 2013;Hugo et al 2014).…”