Neurological manifestation of cholesterinic granulomas in three horses

Abstract

Cholesterinic granulomas have been previously reported as an incidental post mortem in horses. Three adult horses with diencephalic dysfunction due to cholesterinic granulomas are described. All the horses exhibited profound depression, somnolence and reluctance to move. One horse experienced generalised seizures. Cerebrosinal fluid was xanthochromic with an elevated total protein in two of the cases evaluated. The large cholesterinic granulomas caused expansion of the lateral ventricle and secondary hydrocephalus due to the build up of cerebrospinal fluid behind the mass. Cholesterinic granulomas are believed to result from choroid plexus congestion and haemorrhage.

Cholesterol Granulomas in Three Meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

“…The most common hypothesis is that cholesterol granulomas develop at sites of hemorrhage and/or tissue necrosis secondary to an inflammatory focus. 1,5 An association between inflammation/hemorrhage and cholesterol granuloma formation in the meerkats described in this report is unconvincing. In meerkat No.…”

“…Up to 20% of older horses have cholesterol granulomas associated with the choroid plexuses of the lateral and/or fourth ventricles. 5 Although there is potential for expression of antemortem neurologic deficits associated with these lesions, most are found incidentally at necropsy. 5 In dogs, cholesterol granulomas have been documented intracranially, 9 in the middle ear, 2 and in the maxillary sinus.…”

“…5 Although there is potential for expression of antemortem neurologic deficits associated with these lesions, most are found incidentally at necropsy. 5 In dogs, cholesterol granulomas have been documented intracranially, 9 in the middle ear, 2 and in the maxillary sinus. 7 In other species, they have been reported in the spinal dura of a Russian viper snake, 12 the meninges of a Cuban anole lizard, 12 multiple tissues in Cuban tree frogs 11 and leaf-tailed geckos, 3 and were described in the cerebrum of a meerkat in an Armed Forces Institute of Pathology slide set (AFIP case No.…”

“…The most common pathologic behavior of a cholesterol granuloma is slow expansion with relatively little destruction of surrounding tissue. 5 However, severe compression of adjacent tissues or obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid outflow can cause overt clinical signs. All but one of the cholesterol granulomas described in these cases were small, well-circumscribed, asymptomatic lesions, but the cerebral lesion in meerkat No.…”

Ovarian cholesteatoma in a bitch

“…It is well circumscribed and typically asymptomatic, often described as an incidental finding at necropsy. Usually, the cholesteatoma is a slow growing mass with relatively little destruction of surrounding tissues (Jackson et al, 1994). However, compression of adjacent tissues may result in significant clinical signs.…”