Vertebral Angiomatosis in a Cat

Abstract

A cat was referred to the Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital for evaluation of difficulty walking, lethargy, and apparent pain in the back and pelvic regions. Two months prior to admission, the referring veterinarian examined the patient for lethargy and difficulty walking. A mildly elevated temperature ( I 03°F) and a possible aggressive bone lesion in the 12th thoracic vertebra were detected. No physical evidence of trauma or a bite wound could be found. However, a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial osteomyelitis was made. The cat was treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids, but the clinical signs did not improve.On current physical examination, the cat was in good general body condition, eating well, and had normal mentation. However, the cat had hyperesthesia over the cranial lumbar region, and was mildly ataxic in both pelvic limbs without proprioceptive deficits. The body temperature could not be obtained because the cat displayed severe aggressive behavior that was interpreted as a response to pain. The results of CBC, serum chemistry panel, and CSF analysis were within reference range. Serologic testing for FIV, FeLV, and Toxoplasmosis were negative.In routine radiographs of the thoracolumbar vertebral column, there was evidence of bony proliferation at the 12th thoracic vertebra (Fig. 1). On the lateral view, increased mineral opacity was superimposed on the vertebral canal at T12. The margins of this opacity were irregular and within the opaque area there were multiple, small, punctate, lucent areas. On the ventrodorsal view, the left pedicle of T12 was enlarged with irregular margins, increased in opacity, and projected into the vertebral canal. Myelography was attempted, but the examination was considered nondiagnostic due to opacification of the subdural space. In computed tomographic images, the left pedicle of T12 was

What is your diagnosis? Vertebral mass in a cat

“…Five cases of vertebral angiomatosis have been previously described in cats with no cases reported in dogs . In all cases, the animals were under 2 years old at presentation.…”

“…Clinical signs included posterior paresis, spinal column hyperesthesia, and variable proprioceptive deficits of pelvic limbs. The 2 cases discharged after surgical treatment reached complete remission of clinical signs after 3 and 4 months postoperatively, respectively . The main differential diagnoses of extradural compression of the spinal cord affecting the vertebral body in a young cat should include inflammatory diseases, such as an empyema, and neoplasias such as lymphoma, often associated with FeLV infection …”

Imaging Diagnosis—imaging and Histopathologic Characteristics of a Vertebral Hamartoma in a Cat

“…Computed tomography demonstrated an expansile lesion compressing the spinal cord, which was surgically resected, also resulting in a good outcome. Important differential diagnoses for vascular hamartomas occurring within bone include hemangiomas, hemangioblastomas, and arteriovenous malformations, and these can be differentiated on the basis of histopathological features …”

“…Important differential diagnoses for vascular hamartomas occurring within bone include hemangiomas, hemangioblastomas, and arteriovenous malformations, and these can be differentiated on the basis of histopathological features. [14][15][16][17] Previous studies have described MR characteristics associated with intramedullary hamartomas in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord of dogs. 18,19 In contrast to our case of a vertebral hamartoma, these case reports describe the intramedullary hamartomas as heterogeneously hyperintense compared to normal spinal cord on T2W images, isointense on T1W images, with no evidence of contrast in cervical hamartoma and some peripheral, ventral contrast enhancement in the thoracic hamartoma.…”

Feline vertebral angiomatosis: two cases

“…Vertebral angiomatosis is a rare vascular malformation with few cases reported in the literature. 1 – 5 In dogs several forms of angiomatosis have been reported including cutaneous, 6 , 7 cardiac, 8 meningeal, 9 skeletal 10 and multisystemic forms, 11 whereas in cats it is a little-known disorder. 12 In terms of spinal cord disease in cats or, in general, neurological disorders in feline species, this disease has not previously been considered.…”