Intracranial neoplasia in 61 cats: Localisation, tumour types and seizure patterns

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse retrospectively a feline population with intracranial neoplastic diseases, to document seizure patterns in these animals and to determine whether partial seizures were more frequently associated with structural brain lesions then generalised seizures. In addition, a comparison was made within the population with intracranial neoplasia between two groups of cats: one with and one without seizures. Special emphasis was given to the evaluation of tumour type, localisation and size of the lesion and its correlation with seizure prevalence. Sixty-one cats with histopathological diagnosis of intracranial tumour were identified. Fourteen cats (23%; group A) had a history of seizure(s). Forty-seven cats (77%; group B) had no history of seizure(s). Generalised tonic-clonic seizures were seen in eight cats (57%) and were the most common seizure pattern in our cats with intracranial neoplasia. Clusters of seizures were observed in six cats. Status epilepticus was observed in one patient. The mean age of the cats was 7.9 years within group A (median 8.5) and 9.3 years (median 10) within group B. The cats with lymphoma within both groups were significantly younger than cats with meningioma. In both groups meningioma and lymphoma were confirmed to be the most frequent tumour type, followed by glial cell tumours. The prevalence of the seizures in patients with glial cell tumours was 26.7%, 26.3% in patients with lymphomas and 15% in cases with meningiomas. In 33 cases (54.1%) the tumours were localised in the forebrain, 15 tumours (24.6%) were in the brainstem, four (6.6%) in the cerebellum and nine tumours (14.7%) had multifocal localisation. Parietal lobe and basal ganglia mostly affected group A. In group B tumours were most frequently located in the parietal and frontal lobes as well as in the diencephalon. A positive association was documented between the localisation of a tumour in the forebrain and seizure occurrence.

Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry of Canine and Feline Intracalvarial Tumors in the Age of Brain Biopsies

“…However, primary CNS lymphoma represented 35% of all lymphomas and 37% in a second study. 130,131 All feline brain lymphomas were secondary in an earlier study. 145 Both B-and T-cell lymphomas occur in the brains of dogs and cats, including angiocentric tumors.…”

Meningiomas em cães: aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos

“…Alterações intracranianas como edema, hidrocefalia e hemorragia podem ocorrer secundariamente (Kraft & Gavin 1999, Stummer 2007. Convulsão é o sinal neurológico mais comum em cães e gatos (Snyder et al 2006, Tomek et al 2006, mas recentemente relatou-se a alteração de consciência como o sinal clínico de maior ocorrência (Santos et al 2012). Outros sinais podem acompanhar esta afecção, como síndrome vestibular, andar em círculos, cegueira, dor em região cervical, anisocoria, tremores de cabeça e regurgitação (Snyder et al 2006).…”

“…A abordagem cirúrgica possibilita a realização de biopsias ou a completa remoção da neoplasia (Tomek et al 2006, Bagley 2010. A cirurgia é um dos principais tratamentos realizados em neoplasias do SNC.…”

Advances in Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities for Intracranial Tumors

“…The majority of intracranial tumors in cats are primary, with meningiomas being the predominant type. Lymphoma and pituitary tumors are the most common secondary tumors with other primary and secondary tumors, such as gliomas, occurring at relatively low frequencies compared to dogs 19, 20, 21…”