Rostral cerebellar arterial infarct in two cats

Abstract

A 10-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair (DSH) cat and a 6-year-old female neutered Siamese cat were presented following a peracute onset of decerebellate rigidity and a cerebellar vestibular syndrome, respectively. In both cats, physical examination and routine blood tests were unremarkable, as was routine analysis of cerebrospinal fluid obtained from the DSH cat. Based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features - focal wedge-shaped lesion in the cerebellum characterised by hyperintensity in T2-weighted, T2( *)-gradient echo and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images - a presumptive diagnosis of cerebellar infarct was made in both cases. In the DSH cat, the post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of cerebellar infarct and additionally found acute renal infarcts and a pulmonary neoplasia. In the Siamese cat, ultrasonographic evaluation of the heart revealed a probable low-grade chronic valvular endocarditis which was thought to be a potential source of thromboembolism. This paper describes the first two cases - one confirmed and the other suspected - of cerebellar infarct in the cat. The in vivo potential diagnostic value of the MRI study is highlighted. Cerebellar infarcts should be included in the differential diagnosis of cat with a peracute onset of cerebellar signs regardless of the severity of neurological deficits.

Caudal brain infarctions in a kitten – case report

“…Considering these alternatives, the possibility of trauma occurring remains as part of the differential diagnoses; this resulted in the non-collected CSF tap. The decreasing of pupillary light reflex (PRL) is in concordance with Cherubini et al (2007) where a cat presented cerebellar infarction and consequently absence of PLR. The main limitation in this case was the impossibility to use MRI or CT scans to assist in the early diagnosis, because such equipment's is not available at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and the owner indicated that it would not have been possible to send the animal to a Center where CT scans are available.…”

“…2013 or a lesion in the vestibular nucleus on the brainstem, although the last one were not evident macroscopically. Cherubini et al (2007) reported a case of a 10-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat that was maintained indoor only, that developed overnight peracute non-ambulatory tetraparesis. The neurological examination revealed normal mental status with decerebellate posture and nonambulatory tetraparesis.…”

A case of acute acquired obstructive hydrocephalus in a cat with suspected ischaemic cerebellar infarct

“…Ischaemic infarcts affecting the territory of the RCA are clinically described as resulting in peracute, nonprogressive signs of neurological deficits characterised by ataxia with or without hypermetria, non-ambulatory paresis, head tilt, nystagmus, ventrolateral strabismus, decreased menace response, postural and proprioceptive deficits. [6][7][8][9] These infarcts are the result of severe hypoperfusion of the rostral cerebellum and medulla because of an obstruction caused by a thrombus originating within the RCA or from an embolus migrating from elsewhere in the body. 1,4 The RCA in cats and dogs arises from the arterial circle and vascularises the rostral cerebellum, with collateral branches directed to the medulla and pons.…”

“…7 The MRI changes reported in this case report are similar to previously reported cerebellar infarcts in the small animal literature. [2][3][4][6][7][8] The abnormality on MRI was confined to the specific territory supplied by the RCA, had a sharp demarcation from the surrounding parenchyma, a distribution predominantly in the grey matter and an angular (wedge) shape (Figure 1). The presumed infarcted area presented with increased T1 and T2 prolongation time that resulted in low signal intensity (compared with the surrounding parenchyma) in T1W images and high signal intensity in T2W and T2 FLAIR images (Figure 2).…”

Presumptive Ischemic Brain Infarction in a Dog with Evans’ Syndrome

“…Ischemic stroke is a deprivation of blood flow leading to brain necrosis and most commonly occurs due to vascular occlusion by embolus or thrombus [11,12]. These kinds of cerebrovascular accidents are commonly described in dogs [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] with few descriptions in cats [21,22]. Although a large percentage of them have an unknown etiology, several underlying causes have been recognized including hypertension, endocrine, kidney, heart, and metastatic diseases [23].…”