Complications after cerebrospinal fluid collection in dogs with brain neoplasm

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection in dogs with brain neoplasms (BN) may be associated with complications owing to increased intracranial pressure caused by expansive lesions. Although this procedure has been performed in dogs with BN, no data regarding complications after CSF tap in these animals is available. Thus, this retrospective study aimed to identify the rate and types of complications observed after CSF taps in dogs with BN. Thirty dogs with BN were included in the study. In 83% (25/30) of the cases, clinical recovery after CSF tap was considered normal, and in 17% (5/30) the recovery was abnormal. The main clinical and neurological signs observed in dogs with abnormal clinical recovery were apnea (5/5), absence of pupillary photomotor reflex (3/5), coma (2/5), and stupor (1/5). In 40% (2/5) of the dogs, herniation of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum was observed on necropsy. In conclusion, the rate of complications after CSF taps was 17%, and was characterized by apnea, absent pupillary photomotor reflex, altered level of consciousness, and encephalic herniation.

Complications associated with cerebrospinal fluid collection in dogs

“…Until recently, available reports in dogs were limited to a single case of haematomyelia, two cases of ascending–descending myelomalacia and four cases of brainstem injury 14–16 . However, a recent study regarding complications associated with CSF sampling in dogs with intracranial neoplasia identified postprocedural complications in 17% of dogs, which included apneoas, absent pupillary light reflexes, altered level of consciousness and brain parenchymal herniation 17 . The aims of this study were to therefore evaluate the incidence of complications associated with CSF sampling in dogs, and to characterise the types of complications encountered.…”