Hydrocephalus, supratentorial diverticulum and agenesis of the interthalamic adhesion and corpus callosum in a cat: MRI findings, treatment and follow‐up

Abstract

A four-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 48-hour history of cluster of generalised tonic–clonic seizures. General examination revealed craniofacial and eye abnormalities, which were reported since birth. Epileptic seizure activity was controlled with parenteral administration of phenobarbital. The cat underwent MRI of the head, which showed hydrocephalus, supratentorial diverticulum and agenesis of the interthalamic adhesion and corpus callosum. At the time of writing (two years after diagnosis), the cat is still leading a normal life on antiepileptic treatment with phenobarbital. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing such a complex developmental abnormality in a cat.

A Deletion in GDF7 is Associated with a Heritable Forebrain Commissural Malformation Concurrent with Ventriculomegaly and Interhemispheric Cysts in Cats

“…A familial craniofacial malformation with meningoencephalocele has been recognized in Burmese cats [ 13 ], which is caused by ALX Homeobox 1 ( ALX1 ) variant [ 14 ]. However, feline brain malformations with (suspected) idiopathic nature are mostly reported as sporadic events [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Overall, the genetic factors contributing to brain (mal) formation and structural congenital brain disease in dogs and cats are largely unknown.…”