Segmental Spinal Cord Hypoplasia in a Holstein Friesian Calf

Abstract

An 8-day-old female Holstein Friesian calf was examined because of congenital spastic paresis of the hind limbs. Myelography revealed deviation and thinning of subarachnoid contrast medium columns in the lumbar segment. Upon magnetic resonance imaging, the 'hour-glass' subdural compression appeared as a T1-hypointense, T2-hyperintense ovoidal area suggestive of cerebral spinal fluid collection, compatible with hydrosyringomyelia. The calf was euthanized and the necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of segmental spinal cord hypoplasia of the lumbar tract associated to hydromyelic and syringomyelic cavities.

Segmental hypoplasia of the spinal cord and syringomyelia in a calf

“…The morphological findings and clinical signs are consistent with SHSC and similar to other cases described in bovines (IMAI & MORITOMO, 2009;BINANTI et al, 2012;TESTONI et al, 2012;YILDIRIM et al, 2013;BURGSTALLER et al, 2015). In the histopathological analysis of the spinal cord, as seen by ALBERNAZ et al (2014), depletion of the dorsal and ventral gray horns and reduced white matter structures were observed, confirming SHSC.…”

“…It is a rare malformation and is reported particularly in cattle breeds, such as Angus, Hereford, Simmental, Charolais, and Shorthorn (DOIGE et al, 1990). The SHSC has been reported in the Holstein (BINANTI et al, 2012;YILDIRIM et al, 2013), Angus (LEIPOLD et al, 1993), and Japanese Black (IMAI & MORITOMO, 2009) breeds.…”

Syringomyelia in a Newborn Male Simmental Calf

“…18 In hindsight, the authors would recommend ultrasound investigations for the practitioner in general practice as this method of diagnostic examination is readily available and is highly likely to have provided further evidence of syringomyelia in a living animal. 19,20 Furthermore, myelography and MRI 6,21 would have been appropriate as further diagnostic imaging tools in valuable living animals, but were not carried out in this case because of economic constraints.…”

“…In chronic cases, the cavities can be lined with reactive astrogliosis. Syringomyelia has been most intensively studied in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels but occurs in other mammals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. It was previously considered a rare condition in small animal medicine, but because of higher prevalences in certain dog breeds and the increased availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it has become a relatively common neurological diagnosis 8…”

“…Syringomyelia has been most intensively studied in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels but occurs in other mammals. [2][3][4][5][6][7] It was previously considered a rare condition in small animal medicine, but because of higher prevalences in certain dog breeds and the increased availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it has become a relatively common neurological diagnosis. 8 Syringomyelia develops outside the central spinal canal and the cyst is lined by glia cells, whereas hydromyelia affects the central canal and is lined by ependymal cells.…”