Background Radiotherapy (RT) is currently considered the treatment of choice for presumed canine intracranial gliomas. However, variable therapeutic responses are described, due to heterogeneous populations and different radiation methods or protocols. Only one study dedicated to intracranial suspected glioma highlighted prognostic criteria. Determination or confirmation of specific clinical and imaging prognostic factors may guide the therapeutic management of these tumours. The objectives were to provide data on long-term clinical outcome (including quality of life, QoL) and to determine specific prognostic factors associated with survival time. We report a single-institution retrospective study, including all dogs with suspected symptomatic primary solitary intracranial glioma, treated with a complete uniform fractionated megavoltage radiation protocol of 15x3Gy over 5 weeks, between January 2013 and February 2019. Thirty-eight client-owned dogs were included. Medical records were retrospectively evaluated for median overall survival time (MST), clinical and imaging responses. Prognostic factors on survival were researched in terms of signalment, clinical presentation, tumour imaging characteristics and response following RT. Finally, the RT’s impact on the dogs’ clinical signs and Qol were evaluated by the owners. Results The disease-specific MST was 698 days (95% CI: 598–1135). Survival at 1 and 2 years were respectively 74.2 ± 7.4% and 49.0 ± 9.8%. Initial clinical signs were related to survival, as well as tumour characteristics such as cystic-pattern, mass effect and Tumour/Brain volume ratio. No significant adverse effect or radiotoxicity was observed. Conclusions RT appears as a safe and effective treatment for canine intracranial gliomas, allowing long-term tumour control, improvement of life’s quality and management of associated clinical signs. The initial clinical signs and MRI characteristics (Tumour/Brain volume ratio, cyst-like lesion and mass effect) may help predict the prognosis.

Background: Intramedullary disk extrusions has rarely been described in veterinary medicine, more especially in cats, with only two cases are reported in the veterinary literature. Diagnosis may be difficult, even though clinical presentation and imaging studies, such as MRI or CT, can present specific features. Treatment and prognosis are not clearly described. Case presentation: A 10-year-old domestic shorthair female cat was evaluated for a 12 h-history of peracute-onset of paraparesis with flaccid tail and urinary and fecal incontinence. The patellar reflexes were normal, the pelvic flexor reflexes were decreased (more markedly on the right limb) and the perianal reflex was absent. The tail was flaccid, without nociception. Abdominal palpation revealed a small urinary bladder, easily expressed. Manipulation of the lumbar vertebral column elicited marked pain. Neurological examination was consistent with a L7-caudal segments lesion. A lumbosacral MRI and CT evaluations were performed and revealed a focal intramedullary hemorrhagic lesion, with an associated vertical linear tract communicating with the L5-L6 intervertebral disk space, and a suspected intramedullary focus of mineralization. These imaging findings were highly suggestive of an L5-L6 intramedullary disk extrusion. A dorsal L5-L6 laminectomy confirmed the presence of intramedullary degenerative nucleus pulposus fragments, which were surgically removed. Rapid and progressive neurological improvement was observed post-surgery. At the 1-year follow-up, right plantigrade stance and mild paraparesis were still noticed, but jumps and voluntary tail movements were observed. Occasional urinary and fecal incontinence episodes remained. Conclusions: This is the first feline case report of an intramedullary disk herniation with long-term follow-up available. Clinical description, CT and High-Field MRI findings, surgical procedure and histological results are reported, and help describing the characteristics of this rare non-compressive category of peracute intervertebral disk extrusion. Surgical management may be considered in feline cases of intramedullary disk herniation and may be associated with a good outcome.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is currently considered the treatment of choice for presumed canine intracranial gliomas. However, variable therapeutic responses are described, due to heterogeneous populations and different radiation methods or protocols. Only one study dedicated to intracranial suspected glioma highlighted prognostic criteria. Determination or confirmation of specific clinical and imaging prognostic factors may guide the therapeutic management of these tumours. The objectives were to provide data on long-term clinical outcome (including quality of life, QoL) and to determine specific prognostic factors associated with survival time. We report a single-institution retrospective study, including all dogs with suspected symptomatic primary solitary intracranial glioma, treated with a complete uniform fractionated megavoltage radiation protocol of 15x3Gy over 5 weeks, between January 2013 and February 2019. Thirty-eight client-owned dogs were included. Medical records were retrospectively evaluated for median overall survival time (MST), clinical and imaging responses. Prognostic factors on survival were researched in terms of signalment, clinical presentation, tumour imaging characteristics and response following RT. Finally, the RT’s impact on the dogs’ clinical signs and Qol were evaluated by the owners. Results: The disease-specific MST was 698 days (95% CI: 598-1135). Survival at 1 and 2 years were respectively 74.2±7.4% and 49.0±9.8%. Initial clinical signs were related to survival, as well as tumour characteristics such as cystic-pattern, mass effect and Tumour/Brain volume ratio. No significant adverse effect or radiotoxicity was observed.Conclusions: RT appears as a safe and effective treatment for canine intracranial gliomas, allowing long-term tumour control, improvement of life’s quality and management of associated clinical signs. The initial clinical signs and MRI characteristics (Tumour/Brain volume ratio, cyst-like lesion and mass effect) may help predict the prognosis.

Background : Radiotherapy (RT) is currently considered the treatment of choice for presumed canine intracranial gliomas. However, variable therapeutic responses are described, due to heterogeneous populations and different radiation methods or protocols. Only one study dedicated to intracranial suspected glioma highlighted prognostic criteria. Determination or confirmation of specific clinical and imaging prognostic factors may guide the therapeutic management of these tumours. The objectives were to provide data on long-term clinical outcome (including quality of life, QoL) and to determine specific prognostic factors associated with survival time. We report a single-institution retrospective study, including all dogs with suspected symptomatic primary solitary intracranial glioma, treated with a complete uniform fractionated megavoltage radiation protocol of 15x3Gy over 5 weeks, between January 2013 and February 2019. Thirty-eight client-owned dogs were included. Medical records were retrospectively evaluated for median overall survival time (MST), clinical and imaging responses. Prognostic factors on survival were researched in terms of signalment, clinical presentation, tumour imaging characteristics and response following RT. Finally, the RT’s impact on the dogs’ clinical signs and Qol were evaluated by the owners. Results: The disease-specific MST was 698 days (95% CI: 598-1135). Survival at 1 and 2 years were respectively 74.2±7.4% and 49.0±9.8%. Initial clinical signs were related to survival, as well as tumour characteristics such as cystic-pattern, mass effect and Tumour/Brain volume ratio. No significant adverse effect or radiotoxicity was observed. Conclusions: RT appears as a safe and effective treatment for canine intracranial gliomas, allowing long-term tumour control, improvement of life’s quality and management of associated clinical signs. The initial clinical signs and MRI characteristics (Tumour/Brain volume ratio, cyst-like lesion and mass effect) may help predict the prognosis.