Split spinal cord malformations in 4 Holstein Friesian calves

Abstract

Background The split spinal cord malformation (SSCM) is an uncommon congenital malformation of the vertebral canal in which parts of the spinal cord are longitudinally duplicated. In SSCM Type I, each spinal cord has its own dura tube. In the SSCM Type II, both parts of the spinal cord are surrounded by a common dura tube. Cases presentation During the clinical examination one calf showed ambulatory paresis and 3 calves non-ambulatory paraparesis. Calf 4 additionally had a congenital tremor. The examination of calf 4 using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a median hydrosyringomyelia at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. The caudal part of this liquid-filled cavity was split longitudinally through a thin septum. From there, the spinal cord structures duplicated with an incomplete division, so that the transverse section of the spinal cord appeared peanut-shaped and in each half a central canal could be observed. The pathological-anatomical examination after euthanasia showed a duplication of the spinal cord in the area of the lumbar vertebral column in all calves. The histopathological examination revealed two central lumbar vertebral column channels. The two spinal cord duplicates were each surrounded by two separate meninges in calf 2 (SSCM type I); in the other calves (1, 3, 4, and) the two central canals and the spinal cord were covered by a common meninx (SSCM type II). A pedigree analysis of calves 2, 3 and 4 showed a degree of relationship suggestive of a hereditary component. This supports the hypothesis of a possible recessive inheritance due to common ancestors, leading to partial genetic homozygosity. Conclusions The clinical appearance of SSCM can vary widely. In calves with congenital paralysis SSCM should always be considered as a differential diagnosis. A reliable diagnosis intra vitam is possible only with laborious imaging procedures such as MRI. Further studies on the heritability of this malformation are necessary to confirm a genetic cause of this disease.

Ischemic myelomalacia and closed spinal dysraphism in multiple finishing swine

“…2a, b), a dorsoventral duplication of the spinal cord was asymmetrically separated by a thin fibrous septum and enclosed within a common dural sheath. This anomaly is morphologically compatible with diplomyelia and type II SCM reported in humans, 16,17 calves, 10 dogs, 20,26 and foals. 9 It is noteworthy that these cases had more than 1 anomaly, including dorsoventral duplication of the spinal cord accompanied by myelodysplasia (Fig.…”

Clinical, MRI, and histopathological findings of congenital focal diplomyelia at the level of L4 in a female crossbred calf

“…Occurrence of myelodysplasia in the breeds Charolais and Hereford is thought to be higher compared to other breeds [7]. In Górriz-Martín et al [14], three cases were described of calves with nonambulatory paraparesis due to diplomyelia located in the lumbar vertebral column. One of these calves showed a congenital generalized low-frequency tremor.…”

Congenital syringohydromyelia in a crossbred (Holstein-Friesian × Japanese Black) beef calf

“…Therefore, syringohydromyelia is used as an umbrella term of hydromyelia and syringomyelia [1,19]. Hydromyelia, syringomyelia, and syringohydromyelia frequently occur together with skeletal deformities [6,13], arthrogryposis [9], Arnold-Chiari malformations [3], and other myelodysplasias such as diplomyelia, diastematomyelia, hypoplasia, and aplasia [4,7,8,10,11,13,[15][16][17][21][22][23]. Hydromyelia, syringomyelia, and syringohydromyelia have previously been reported in Holstein, Japanese Black, Charolais, Brown Swiss, Tudanca, Simmental, and Brahman-crossed calves [1, 2, 4, 7-11, 15-17, 21].…”

“…In addition to MRI scans [7,13,16,23], ultrasonographic diagnosis of syringohydromyelia, diplomyelia, and hypoplasia from intervertebral spaces have been reported [21,22]. We attempted to initially diagnose the calf by ultrasonography prior to CT and MRI scans.…”

“…However, we failed to make a diagnosis because we examined the L6-S1 intervertebral spaces, rather than the affected L3-L4 spinal segments. MRI scans are the gold standard for diagnosing cerebral and spinal diseases and are reportedly useful for diagnosing syringohydromyelia and diplomyelia while calves are still alive [7,16,24].…”