Fibrocartilaginous embolic encephalopathy of the cerebellum and brainstem in a cat

Abstract

A 12-year old male castrated Siamese cat was evaluated for a one-day history of mild obtundation and decerebellate rigidity. Neurological examination findings were consistent with multifocal disease including lesions within the right cerebellum and right brainstem. Investigations included hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and urine culture. A definitive diagnosis was not achieved clinically and differential diagnoses included vascular disease, neoplasia, and infectious disease. About nine hours after admission, the cat had an episode where it became rigid and then limp. The cat became agonal and went into cardiopulmonary arrest and attempts of resuscitation were unsuccessful. Post-mortem examination revealed evidence of multiple fibrocartilaginous emboli (FCE) within the cerebellum and within meningeal vessels on the ventral aspect of the brainstem. This is the first reported case of fibrocartilaginous embolism causing an encephalopathy in a cat. While this is a rare disease, it is an important differential diagnosis that should be considered in cases of acute encephalopathies in cats.

Non-ambulatory pigs in two Brazilian growing-finishing farms: a clinic, etiological and pathological perspective on 76 cases

“…In one of the cases of this study, FCE affected the cerebellum. This lesion distribution is not commonly observed in cases of FCE, with rare reports in veterinary literature [ 47 ]. In this case, it is suggested that the nucleus pulposus may have originated from the cervical segment of the vertebral column, and the material entered small arteries, and occluded the lumen of vertebral arteries retrogradely, similarly to previous descriptions [ 42 , 48 ].…”

Haematomyelia and myelomalacia following an inadvertent thoracic intraspinal injection in a cat

“…Therefore, neutrophilic pleocytosis and neutrophilic infiltration of the spinal cord were interpreted as a reaction to neuroparenchymal necrosis. Accordingly, neutrophilic pleocytosis has been described in the CSF of cats with myelomalacia secondary to fibrocartilaginous embolism, 20 and mild neutrophilic infiltration of the spinal cord has been histologically described in a cat with haemorrhagic myelomalacia. 21 These findings were therefore consistent with an iatrogenic needle injury and potential injection.…”