Clinical Features, Imaging Characteristics, and Long-term Outcome of Dogs with Cranial Meningocele or Meningoencephalocele



Lazzerini, K, Gutierrez-Quintana, R, Jose-Lopez, R, McConnell, F, Goncalves, R ORCID: 0000-0001-5420-9801, McMurrough, J, De Decker, S, Muir, C, Priestnall, SL, Mari, L
et al (show 12 more authors) (2017) Clinical Features, Imaging Characteristics, and Long-term Outcome of Dogs with Cranial Meningocele or Meningoencephalocele. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, 31 (2). pp. 505-512.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>The term meningoencephalocele (MEC) describes a herniation of cerebral tissue and meninges through a defect in the cranium, whereas a meningocele (MC) is a herniation of the meninges alone.<h4>Hypothesis/objectives</h4>To describe the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with cranial MC and MEC.<h4>Animals</h4>Twenty-two client-owned dogs diagnosed with cranial MC or MEC.<h4>Methods</h4>Multicentric retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records of 13 institutions were reviewed. Signalment, clinical history, neurologic findings and MRI characteristics as well as treatment and outcome were recorded and evaluated.<h4>Results</h4>Most affected dogs were presented at a young age (median, 6.5 months; range, 1 month - 8 years). The most common presenting complaints were seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Intranasal MEC was more common than parietal MC. Magnetic resonance imaging identified meningeal enhancement of the protruded tissue in 77% of the cases. Porencephaly was seen in all cases with parietal MC. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis identified mild abnormalities in 4 of 11 cases. Surgery was not performed in any affected dog. Seventeen patients were treated medically, and seizures were adequately controlled with anti-epileptic drugs in 10 dogs. Dogs with intranasal MEC and mild neurologic signs had a fair prognosis with medical treatment.<h4>Conclusion and clinical importance</h4>Although uncommon, MC and MEC should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs presenting with seizures or alterations in behavior. Medical treatment is a valid option with a fair prognosis when the neurologic signs are mild.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cerebral malformation, Cranioschisis, Porencephaly, Seizures
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 13 May 2019 10:34
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 00:46
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14638
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14638
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3041047