Mr, Ct and Clinical Features From Four Dogs With Nasal Tumors Involving the Rostral Cerebrum

Abstract

The clinical findings and computed tomographic and magnetic resonance images from four dogs with nasal tumors that invaded the central nervous system were revlewed. There were minimal or no clinical signs related to nasal disease. Brain imaging with magnetic resonance or computed tomography demonstrated antemortem involvement of brain and nasal structures. Magnetic resonance imaging was optimal for demonstrating this involvement and showed more detailed anatomic features of the mass and secondary pathologies attributed to the mass.

The Nervous System

“…In addition to defining primary brain tumors, computed tomography may be helpful in identifying nasal tumors that have extended into the rostral cerebrum. 12,13 Affected dogs may have no clinical signs of nasal disease. Magnetic resonance imaging is optimal for demonstrating the amount of nasal or cerebral involvement and shows detailed anatomic features of these brain tumors.…”

The Respiratory System

“…29,30 Neurologic signs (seizures, postural reaction deficits, blindness, circling, behavior changes, alterations of consciousness, and contralateral facial hypalgesia) may be the predominant or only sign noted in some dogs. 11,31 Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are most common, but other carcinomas are occasionally encountered. 8,30 A wide variety of sarcomas are diagnosed, with tumors of skeletal origin (chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma) making up about 18% and soft-tissue sarcomas (lymphosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, fibrous histiocytoma, myosarcoma, nerve sheath tumor, undifferentiated sarcoma) making up about 16%.…”

“…34 MRI is optimal for demonstration of detailed anatomic features of nasal neoplasia and involvement of the nasal cavity and central nervous system. 11 Availability of MRI is presently limited to referral practices, and the procedure generally costs more than CT.…”

“…Advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are also ways to evaluate the nasal cavity and are often available on a referral basis. 10,11 Rhinoscopy can be performed using an otoscope, a rigid arthroscope, or a flexible endoscope (Table 9-2). 12 An otoscope will allow visualization only of the rostral 20% of the nasal cavity, whereas an arthroscope or flexible endoscope will allow more complete visualization of the rostral nasal cavity (50% or more) and occasionally the caudal nasal cavity and nasopharynx.…”

The challenges and limitations of magnetic resonance imaging technique in veterinary curriculum and clinical practice in Nigeria

“…Clinical Veterinary MR imaging started approximately 30 years ago, primarily as a result of veterinarians negotiating access, usually out of hours, to scanners in sympathetic local human hospitals. Early applications of most veterinary MR studies were of the canine head and brain (Goldstein et al, 1985;Kraft et al, 1989;Moore et al, 1991;Karkkainen et al, 1991;Dennis, 1993;Grahn et al, 1993). Today applications have broadly expanded to include spinal and orthopaedic conditions (Karkkainen et al, 1993;De Risio et al, 2009).…”