Local History

Complications after cerebrospinal fluid collection in dogs with brain neoplasm

“…Brain neoplasms (BN) are a frequent cause of neurological dysfunction and usually occur in middle-aged to elderly animals (Snyder et al 2006, McEntee & Dewey 2013; approximately 95% of primary tumors affect dogs over 5-years of age (Higgins et al 2016). BN results in space-occupying lesions (mass effect), the neurological alterations of which depend on the location, extent, and growth rate of the tumor (Costa 2009, Dewey 2016, Higgins et al 2016). Signs may be mono or multifocal due to the compression of adjacent structures, direct tissue invasion, circulation interruption, edema, inflammation, and necrosis (Costa 2009, O'Brien & Coates 2010, Rossmeisl & Pancotto 2012, Dewey 2016.…”

“…BN results in space-occupying lesions (mass effect), the neurological alterations of which depend on the location, extent, and growth rate of the tumor (Costa 2009, Dewey 2016, Higgins et al 2016). Signs may be mono or multifocal due to the compression of adjacent structures, direct tissue invasion, circulation interruption, edema, inflammation, and necrosis (Costa 2009, O'Brien & Coates 2010, Rossmeisl & Pancotto 2012, Dewey 2016.…”

“…Diagnosis is established based on various parameters including medical history, breed, age, evolution, neurological signs, results of complementary examinations [chest radiography, abdominal ultrasound, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], and confirmation by histopathological analysis of the sample obtained by biopsy or necropsy (Costa 2009, O'Brien & Coates 2010, Rossmeisl & Pancotto 2012, Dewey 2016.…”

“…An elevated ICP increases the chance of brain herniation during puncture to collect CSF (Wood et al 2012, Dewey et al 2016. Considering these inherent risks in dogs with BN, there remains a controversy about the value of collecting CSF in these animals.…”

“…CT or MRI is recommended before CSF collection and, in the presence of images suggestive of neoplasms, increased ICP, and/or brain herniations, the procedure should be avoided. However, according to Dewey (2016), the risk of a CSF tap in the presence of elevated ICP in animals with BN is not considered high. To date, the literature related to the rate as well as the types of complications after CSF collection in dogs with BN without prior evaluation of advanced imaging examinations is scare.…”