Embryonal central nervous system tumor in the brain of a goose

Abstract

Embryonal central nervous system (CNS) tumor is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises from the neural crest. Herein we describe an embryonal tumor in the brain of an adult male domestic goose ( Anser anser) that was euthanized after a short history of wandering and lethargy. Grossly, a focal, bright-red, soft plaque was present on the ventral aspect of the brain, extending from the optic chiasm to the midbrain, as well as into the dorsal neuroparenchyma. Histologically, the nodule consisted of a poorly demarcated population of neoplastic cells arranged in streams and bundles, and occasionally palisading around small capillaries (pseudorosettes). Neoplastic cells were elongate and had scant, finely granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and elongate nuclei with dense chromatin. Mitoses were uncommon. Scattered foci of intratumoral necrosis and microvascular proliferation were present. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for doublecortin and neuronal nuclei. Ultrastructurally, neoplastic cells had elongated-to-polyhedral cytoplasm with short processes, scarce intermediate filaments, and small round mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The cell membrane had varied numbers of intercellular anchoring-like junctions, and nuclei were round-to-elongate and had marginal aggregates of heterochromatin. Morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings in our case are consistent with a poorly differentiated embryonal tumor.

A review of primary central nervous system neoplasms of cats

“…Embryonal neoplasms are currently classified as medulloblastomas or embryonal tumors of difficult diagnostic characterization (also known as primitive neuroectodermal tumors). 58,70 In cats, there have been descriptions of a medulloblastoma 44,51 and multiple olfactory neuroblastomas. 7,80,99,113 Medulloblastoma occurs in young individuals and is typically characterized as white mass that affects the cerebellum and dorsal brainstem.…”

Case report: Infratentorial Embryonal Tumor with Abundant Neuropil and True Rosettes (ETANTR) in an 8-month-old Maine Coon

“…Embryonal CNS tumors are rarely reported in the veterinary literature (13). Medulloblastomas have been described in dogs, cattle, pigs, rats, and non-human primates with a single report in cats (7,8,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Intracranial embryonal neoplasm in an alpaca

“…[13][14][15] Medulloblastomas, which make up most embryonal tumors, are found primarily in the cerebellar hemispheres or dorsal brainstem. 11,17,19 They appear to be most common in calves, with rare occurrences reported in adult cats, pigs, dogs, rats, non-human primates, a grizzly bear, and a kowari. 11,17 There are a few reports of non-medulloblastoma embryonal tumors within the CNS in veterinary species, but reports suggest they are most common in the supratentorial region and less so in the spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia.…”

“…11,17,19 They appear to be most common in calves, with rare occurrences reported in adult cats, pigs, dogs, rats, non-human primates, a grizzly bear, and a kowari. 11,17 There are a few reports of non-medulloblastoma embryonal tumors within the CNS in veterinary species, but reports suggest they are most common in the supratentorial region and less so in the spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia. 7,10,16,17 Additionally, non-medulloblastoma embryonal tumors can occur peripherally in bone or soft tissue, and there have been a number of veterinary case reports of intraocular embryonal tumors, including 3 instances in llamas.…”