What is your diagnosis? Vertebral mass in a cat

Abstract

An 18-month-old neutered male Persian cat was referred to the Hospital Clinic Veterinari of the Universitat Aut onoma de Barcelona (HCV-UAB) for an investigation of a 4-week history of progressive paraparesis. Physical examination was considered normal. Neurologic examination was consistent with a T3-L3 myelopathy. Marked thoracolumbar pain was present. Main differential diagnoses included inflammatory/ infectious disease and neoplasia. Hematology and complete serum biochemistry profiles and an abdominal ultrasonographic examination were unremarkable; feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukemia virus (FeLV) serologic tests were negative. Thoracic radiographs revealed a radiolucent lesion affecting T11-T13 vertebral bodies. Postmyelographic computed tomography revealed a marked thickening of the pedicle, lamina, and vertebral body of T13 and L1 vertebrae causing spinal cord compression on the left side (Figure 1). A T13-L1 left-side hemilaminectomy was performed in order to decompress the spinal cord and obtain a sample for analysis. Excisional biopsy of the proliferative lesion and intraoperative cytologic imprints were submitted for evaluation ( Figure 2). Figure 1. Transverse computed tomographic image at the level of T13 vertebra in a young cat with progressive paraparesis. Note the marked thickening of the pedicle, lamina, and vertebral body on the left side causing spinal cord compression (arrow).Figure 2. Imprint of an extradural vertebral mass from a young cat with progressive paraparesis. Modified Wright stain.

Vertebral angiomatosis recurrence in a 14‐month‐old Maine Coon cat

“…Different possible localisations over the thoracic or lumbar spine, and chronic neurological signs, ranging from pain to additional proprioceptive deficits in worst cases are described. [1][2][3][4][5][6] In this case report, the first episode of vertebral angiomatosis matched the typical presentation but the clinical signs of the recurrence episode were acute and more severe. Total paralysis of both hindlimbs with persistent nociception was observed.…”

“…Nine previous cases are described in the literature and as in this case, majority of the affected animals was young cats, less than two years old. [1][2][3][4][5][6] No sex or hormonal predispositions have been reported. Blood vessels proliferation invaded the vertebrae leading to bone proliferation and medullary compression.…”

“…Aggressiveness of vertebral angiomatosis is local, and no systemic lesion concomitant to vertebral invasion was observed. [1][2][3][4][5][6] In the veterinary literature, two of nine cases were euthanased before surgery because of the owner's reluctance and seven cases were treated surgically, with postoperatory improvement and no signs of recurrence in five cats. [1][2][3][4][5] Such information suggests that if the lesion can be surgically removed, then the long-term prognosis is good.…”

“…In the present case, the spinous process was also involved at the time of relapse, and it is the first case known. [1][2][3][4][5][6] These differences could explain the slower and poorer recovery.…”

Feline vertebral angiomatosis: two cases

“…Vertebral angiomatosis is a rare vascular malformation with few cases reported in the literature. 1 – 5 In dogs several forms of angiomatosis have been reported including cutaneous, 6 , 7 cardiac, 8 meningeal, 9 skeletal 10 and multisystemic forms, 11 whereas in cats it is a little-known disorder. 12 In terms of spinal cord disease in cats or, in general, neurological disorders in feline species, this disease has not previously been considered.…”