Tethered cord syndrome with spina bifida aperta in cats: two case reports of different types

Abstract

Case summaryTwo castrated male cats, aged 8 months old (case 1) and 10 months old (case 2), showed a history of progressive paraparesis, an over-reaching pelvic limb gait, urinary incontinence and a palpable dermoid fistula. In case 1, the fistula was connected to the dural sac on the conus medullaris, and the tethered spinal cord was retracted caudally. In case 2, the tubular structure was connected to the dural sac on the thoracic spinal cord, and the tethered spinal cord was retracted dorsally. Tethered cord syndrome secondary to spina bifida aperta was suspected in both cats. Excision of the fistula and release of the tethered spinal cord was performed. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a meningomyelocele in case 1 and a meningocele in case 2. Paraparesis improved postoperatively in both cats. However, urinary incontinence in case 1 remained partially unresolved.Relevance and novel informationThis is the first report to describe the imaging characteristics, surgical treatments and outcomes of two different types of tethered cord syndrome with spina bifida aperta in cats. Tethered cord syndrome with spina bifida aperta needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of slowly progressive paraparesis in younger cats with or without vesicorectal failure and a palpable dermoid fistula.

Comparison of inherited neural tube defects in companion animals and livestock

“…Sporadic cases of myelomeningocele have been noted in companion animals. In cats, it was reported in the British blue and Manx breeds (Swallow et al, 2019) as well as in a mixed breed cat (Tamura et al, 2017). Bulldogs are the most common dog breed with meningomyelocele cases (Martín Muñiz et al, 2019), but sporadic cases have been reported in other breeds (Table 4; Figure 1d,e).…”

“…A range of NTD phenotypes exist (Table 1, Figure 1, Supporting Information Figure S1) and their effects can range from serious to benign (Botto, Moore, Khoury, & Erickson, 1999; Copp & Greene, 2010; Song et al, 2016). NTDs are recognized in several domestic species including dogs (Appelgrein, Hosgood, & Reese, 2016; Lazzerini et al, 2017; Wilson, Kurtz, Leipold, & Lees, 1979), cats (Lyons et al, 2016; Piummer, Bunch, Khoo, & Spaulding, 1993; Tamura et al, 2017), cattle and sheep (Adalsteinsson & Basrur, 1984; D. Y. Cho & Leipold, 1977; Kohli & Naddaf, 1998; Windsor, Kessell, & Finnie, 2011), pigs (I.‐C. Cho et al, 2015; Hughes & Hart, 1934; Mulley & Edwards, 1984; Wijeratne, Beaton, & Cuthbertson, 1974) and horses (A. M. Buck & Hunt, 2019; Van Hoogmoed, Yarbrough, Lecouteur, & Hornof, 1999) (Table 2).…”