Fifty-seven spontaneous canine gliomas were histologically classified and graded using the latest World Health Organization (WHO 2007) criteria for classification of human gliomas. A total of 19 canine astrocytomas were classified as follows: grade IV (GBM) n = 7; grade III n = 5; and grade II, n = 7. Thirty-eight oligodendrogliomas were classified as either grade III (anaplastic) n = 35 or low grade II n = 3. Tissue microarray (TMA) immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate tumor expression of EGFR, PDGFRa and IGFBP2, three key molecules of known pathophysiological importance in human gliomas. Findings were correlated with tumor classification and grade. Increased EGFR expression was demonstrated in 57% of GBMs, 40% of grade III and 28% of grade II astrocytomas. EGFR expression occurred in only 3% of grade III oligodendrogliomas. Increased expression of PDGFRalpha was demonstrated in 43% of GBMs, 20% of grade III, and 14% of grade II astrocytomas. In the oligodendroglioma series, 94% of grade III tumors overexpressed PDGFRalpha. IGFBP2 expression was detected in 71, 60 and 28% of GBMs, grade III and grade II astrocytomas respectively. IGFBP2 expression occurred in 48% of anaplastic and in 33% of low grade oligodendrogliomas. Expression of EGFR, PDGFRalpha or IGFBP2 was not detected in normal canine CNS control TMA cores. The incidence of overexpression of EGFR, PDGFRalpha and IGFBP2 in these canine gliomas closely parallels that in human tumors of similar type and grade. These findings support a role for the spontaneous canine glioma model in directed pathway-targeting therapeutic studies.
Brainstem dysfunction resulting from central extension of infection is a life-threatening complication of otitis media/interna (OMI) that has been described infrequently in dogs and cats. We review the clinical signs of disease, diagnostic findings, and results of surgical and medical treatments of brainstem disease attributable to otogenic intracranial infection in cats and dogs. Eleven cats and 4 dogs were examined because of acute, subacute, or chronic clinical signs of brain disease including central vestibular signs, altered mentation, abnormal posture/gait, cranial nerve deficits, and seizures. Results of a minimal database (CBC, serum biochemical panel, urinalysis, thoracic radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonographic images or radiographs) were within reference intervals in all animals. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the head were acquired for all animals, and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 9 of 11 cats and 3 of 4 dogs was examined. Surgical exploration and ventral bulla osteotomy were done for 12 of 15 animals, followed by 1-3 months of antibiotic therapy; the remaining animals were euthanized before treatment. In all animals, MR imaging was effective in characterizing the location and extent of the pathologic changes intracranially as well as within middle/inner ear structures. Results of CSF analysis were characteristic of bacterial infection in most of the animals with acute or subacute disease. Since long-term outcome in all treated animals was very good to excellent, it was concluded that dogs and cats with intracranial disease secondary to extension of otitis media/interna have a good-to-excellent prognosis when the condition was diagnosed and was treated by surgical exploration and appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Inhibition of tumour growth and angiogenesis by targeting key growth factor receptors is a promising therapeutic strategy for central nervous system tumours. Characterization of these growth factor receptors in canine primary brain tumours has not been done. Using quantitative real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we evaluated the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for five tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]-1, VEGFR-2, endothelial growth factor receptor [EGFR]-1, platelet-derived growth factor receptor a [PDGFRa], and c-Met) relative to normal cerebral cortex in 66 spontaneous canine primary brain tumours. Increased expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 mRNA was greatest in grade IV astrocytomas (glioblastoma multiforme) and grade III (anaplastic) oligodendrogliomas. EGFR-1 mRNA expression was more consistently increased than the other receptors in all tumour types, while increased PDGFRa mRNA expression was mostly restricted to oligodendrogliomas. The similarities in increased expression of these tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors in these canine tumours, as compared to data from their human counterparts, suggest that common molecular mechanisms may be present.
Juvenile idiopathic epilepsy of Egyptian Arabian foals has an early clinical onset but appears to be self-limiting. Information obtained from this study strongly suggests a heritable condition that merits further investigation.
Spinal cord dysfunction secondary to spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) has been reported previously in dogs. This retrospective study reviews the clinical signs, radiographic findings, and outcome after surgical resection of SACs in 14 dogs. Plain vertebral column radiographs and myelography were done in all dogs. Computed tomography (CT) was done in 7 dogs and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in 3 dogs. Affected dogs were between 1 and 12 years of age, and 8 of 14 were Rottweilers. Abnormalities detected on neurological examination depended on the location of the SAC. Five dogs had bilobed or multiple SACs. SACs were located in the cervical vertebral column in 11 dogs and in the thoracic vertebral column in 4 dogs. All dogs had dorsally or dorsolaterally located SACs. Two dogs also had additional ventrally located SACs. Spinal cord compression secondary to intervertebral disc extrusion or protrusion was demonstrated at the site of the SACs in 2 dogs. Surgical resection of the SACs was completed in all dogs. Eleven dogs were available for follow-up. Five weeks postoperatively, 7 dogs improved in neurological function, with some residual ataxia and paresis in 6 of these dogs. Neurological function had deteriorated in 4 dogs. It was concluded from this study that Rottweilers have a higher incidence of SACs than other breeds of dog. Furthermore, bilobed or multiple SACs can occur commonly, and myelography effectively localized SACs in dogs. Surgical resection of SACs resulted in improvement in neurological function in the majority of treated dogs.
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