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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2022; 37(1); 361-365; doi: 10.1111/jvim.16592

Intracranial medulloblastoma as the cause of progressive ataxia in a 6-month-old draft horse cross gelding.

Abstract: We describe the unique clinical presentation of a central nervous system neoplasm in a 6-month-old draft horse cross gelding. Based on the neurologic examination at admission, neurolocalization was most consistent with a mildly asymmetric cervical, multifocal, or diffuse myelopathy. Mild vestibular involvement also was considered, but no cranial nerve deficits were observed. The gelding was negative for Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi based on paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples analyzed, with no evidence of cervical compression based on contrast myelography. The horse was euthanized because of progression of clinical signs. At necropsy, a mass was identified associated with the cerebellum, and histopathology was consistent with medulloblastoma, which has not been reported previously in the horse.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-25 PubMed ID: 36433686PubMed Central: PMC9889683DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16592Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article revolves around a unique case study of a 6-month-old draft horse cross gelding. The horse developed a central nervous system neoplasm, specifically a medulloblastoma, that was identified post-mortem and led to progressive ataxia and the eventual euthanization of the horse.

Clinical Presentation

  • The horse in the study exhibited signs of a neurologic disorder, particularly myelopathy of the cervical region, which was mildly asymmetric, multifocal, or diffuse. Vestibular involvement was also considered, though no specific cranial nerve deficits were observed. This unusual mix of symptoms led to an uncertain initial diagnosis.

Diagnostic Process

  • Testing was performed to rule out a couple of typically prevalent equine neurological diseases, Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi, by analysis of paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Results turned out negative for both diseases. Contrast myelography was also carried out but showed no evidence of cervical compression.

End Result and Necropsy

  • Due to the progression of clinical signs and the inability to identify and treat the disease causing them, the decision was taken to euthanize the horse. Upon conducting a necropsy, a mass associated with the cerebellum was discovered.

Histopathology and final diagnosis

  • Upon further examination of the mass, the histopathology was consistent with medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma is a type of malignancy that affects the central nervous system, more specifically, primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the cerebellum. This conclusion is noteworthy because it’s the first time medulloblastoma has been reported in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Palmisano M, Bender S, Johnson AL. (2022). Intracranial medulloblastoma as the cause of progressive ataxia in a 6-month-old draft horse cross gelding. J Vet Intern Med, 37(1), 361-365. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16592

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 1
Pages: 361-365

Researcher Affiliations

Palmisano, Megan
  • Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Bender, Susan
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Johnson, Amy L
  • Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Sarcocystosis / veterinary
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
  • Medulloblastoma / diagnosis
  • Medulloblastoma / veterinary
  • Encephalomyelitis / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Sarcocystis
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / veterinary
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Ataxia / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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