Long‐term outcome of a dog with surgically resected thoracic intramedullary haemangioblastoma and concurrent lumbosacral disease

Abstract

A 5‐year‐old male, neutered, English Bulldog presented for acute progressive paraparesis. Neurological examination revealed a weak withdrawal reflex in the left pelvic limb and lumbosacral pain, suggestive of a L4–S3 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an incidental intramedullary mass at the T9 vertebra and L7–S1 intervertebral disc protrusion with bilateral foraminal stenosis. The dog was treated with epidural methylprednisolone. Repeat neurological examination postepidural revealed normal withdrawal reflexes and resolution of lumbosacral spinal pain. However, progressive paraparesis, thoracolumbar pain and epaxial muscle atrophy were evident. A T3–L3 myelopathy was suspected secondary to the intramedullary mass. The mass was surgically resected, and histology revealed haemangioblastoma. Neurological status improved initially, but deteriorated later due to the lumbosacral disease. The dog improved following repeat methylprednisolone epidural injection, but remained paraparetic. This case report is consistent with previous literature and provides additional information on the treatment and prognosis of spinal cord haemangioblastoma with concurrent lumbosacral disease.