Acquired Cervical Syringomyelia Secondary to a Brainstem Meningioma in a Maltese Dog

Abstract

ABSTRACT. A 15-year-old female maltese was referred to us because of a 3-month history of ataxia, circling, and acute blindness. A mass was noted in the brainstem on brain magnetic resonance images. A cerebellar herniation was also detected on T1-weighted sagittal images. The lateral, third and fourth ventricles and central canal of the cervical spinal cord were enlarged. Based on diagnostic imaging findings, cervical syringomyelia secondary to a brainstem tumor was suspected. The clinical signs were controlled well by lomustine and the dog survived for 8 months after the initial diagnosis. The mass was diagnosed as a meningioma based on histopathological findings. This report describes the clinical findings and imaging characteristics of an acquired syringomyelia resulting from a brainstem meningioma.

Amelioration of caudal thoracic syringohydromyelia following surgical management of an adjacent arachnoid cyst

“…This may occur at the craniocervical junction (most commonly in association with Chiari malformations) (Levine 2004) but also more caudally, secondary to arachnoid cysts, adhesive arachnoiditis, neoplasia, spinal malformations and intervertebral disc protrusions (Klekamp 2002, Batzdorf 2005, Holly and Batzdorf 2006). In dogs Chiari‐like malformation is the most widely described craniocervical junction lesion associated with syringohydromyelia, although brainstem tumours have also been reported (da Costa and others 2004, Jung and others 2006). More caudally, syringohydromyelia has been described in association with spinal dysraphism (Furneaux and others 1973), vertebral malformation (Chauvet and others 1996) and intervertebral disc disease (McGrath 1965), as well as arachnoid cysts.…”

Unilateral Facial Paresis Secondary to a Suspected Brainstem Arachnoid Cyst in a Maltese Dog

“…The present case had only facial palsy as a clinical sign and did not show any other neurological abnormalities. Previous two reports [12,13] described brainstem tumor cases which located in similar part of the brainstem. The first case [12] showed circling with cranial nerve deficits and the second case [13] showed circling with ipsilateral hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficits.…”

“…Previous two reports [12,13] described brainstem tumor cases which located in similar part of the brainstem. The first case [12] showed circling with cranial nerve deficits and the second case [13] showed circling with ipsilateral hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficits. Although the cause of clinical differences between two cases was uncertain, it could support the theory that any cases with the same brainstem lesions could reveal some different neurological signs.…”

“…Syringomyelia designates a fluid filled cavity formation within the spinal cord and is associated with congenital abnormalities or may be complicated with variable disorders including trauma, inflammation, tumor, and hemorrhage [13]. Congenital abnormality of the brain is the more common cause of syringomyelia and especially in small breed dogs, caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS) is believed to lead to abnormal CSF flow and to induce cervical syrinx formation [5,7,13]. In this present case, the cervical syringomyelia may be formed by COMS in considering the breed of our patient, but the possibility of secondary syringomyelia is still existent.…”

“…Space occupying lesion in the caudal fossa may induce cerebellar herniation thus can be the primary cause of acquired syrnigomyelia. There are two reports of acquired cervical syringomyelia induced by cerebellar herniation due to brainstem tumor [3,13]. According to one previous report [3], the size of the mass was reduced and cerebellar herniation and syringomyelia were resolved after corticosteroids and radiation therapy of the mass.…”