Intracranial abscess caused by Rhodococcus equi infection in a foal

Abstract

Intracranial surgery in veterinary medicine has been limited to dogs and cats; however, in select cases, extrapolation of surgical techniques used in humans and small animals can assist with intracranial procedures in horses.

Rhodococcus equi: Clinical Manifestations, Virulence, and Immunity

“…Disease caused by such lesions is often subclinical and only recognized during postmortem examination. A foal with a brain abscess (recognized via computed tomography) associated with R. equi infection has been described …”

Bacterial Infections of the Central Nervous System

“…The diagnosis of brain abscesses by CT examination in living horses has been described and was used to guide therapy. 8,43,44 MRI of intracranial abscessation of horses has been described and appears to be a very useful diagnostic aid. 45,46 Nuclear scintigraphy using labeled autologous WBCs can also be attempted and may provide definitive evidence (Figure 14.2).…”

“…23 Focal cerebral abscessation has been successfully treated surgically in several cases; however, CT or MRI localization appears to be important in planning surgery. 43,44 One mare was successfully treated and was recovering from the neurologic disease; however the horse developed laminitis which necessitated its destruction after about 2 months. 8 Surgical drainage via craniotomy and aspiration of the abscess appears to be a viable modality in the horse.…”

Extrapulmonary disorders associated withRhodococcus equiinfections

“…Other EPDs resulting in neurological signs include an intracranial abscess (Janicek et al . ), occipital bone osteomyelitis and meningitis (Morresey et al . ) and hyperammonaemia associated with portal vein thrombosis (Ness et al .…”