First occurrence of Arnold Chiari type II malformation and associated abnormalities in a Gir calf produced in vitro from Brazil - case report

Abstract

This study characterized the clinical, radiological, ultrasound, and necroscopic findings of a case of Arnold-Chiari type II malformation in a Gir breed calf from Brazil. The animal was hospitalized at sixty days of age, in permanent sternal recumbency, cutaneous appendix at the 4th lumbar vertebra and kyphoscoliosis of the caudal and lumbosacral thoracic spine. Radiographic examination of the spine and skull revealed spina bifida and suspected occipital hypoplasia. Upon examination of myelography with an injection of lumbar and atlantooccipital contrast, it was possible to visualize the meningocele at the 4th lumbar vertebra region and findings at the rhombencephalon level of increased regional pressure with failure to fill the contrast in the posterior fossa, in the presence of clear demarcation of the circumvolutions of the cerebral cortex and the subarachnoid space of the cervical spinal cord. Ultrasonographic examination of the cerebellum showed an insinuation of the cerebellar worm through the foramen magnum. The animal did not show changes in complete blood count, biochemical series, and cerebrospinal fluid and was negative for Pestivirus. There was a worsening of the clinical conditions and the animal died. This malformation of unknown etiology must be studied as a differential diagnosis of the nervous system disorders.

Case report: Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary choristoma in a newborn calf

“…In the present case’s lateral radiograph, abnormality in the spinous process was not clearly detectable due to the overlapping of the mass and the peripheral vertebras ( 23 ). Thus, ventrodorsal or dorsoventral radiographs should be taken for the affected lumbar region, as these are preferable for evaluating malformation of the spinous process compared with lateral radiographs ( 37 ).…”

“…Thus, the macroscopic observation allows easy detection of this disease when supported by palpation (11,12,18,19,22,23). However, a differential diagnosis cannot be made based on the swollen backs, due to the shared macroscopic appearances of the cutaneous or subcutaneous mass lesions such as spina bifida cystica, cellulitis, abscess, tumors (e.g., lipoma) and tumor-like masses (e.g., hamartoma) in newborn or younger animals (4,24,25,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37). Additionally, the macroscopic and palpation examinations cannot provide pathological findings deeper than the superficial masses, such as the degree of invasion or destruction of the underlying structures and vasculature.…”

Congenital syndromic Chiari-like malformation (CSCM) in Holstein cattle: towards unravelling of possible genetic causes

“…In cattle, sporadic cases of a congenital syndrome resembling human CM type II (CMII) have been reported for more than 70 years in various breeds without recognition of a familial pattern [ 14 – 17 ]. Affected calves showing a congenital syndromic Chiari-like malformation (CSCM) have been characterized by concurrent spina bifida and hindlimb arthrogryposis.…”