ABSTRACT
A 5-year-old neutered female mixed cat presented with reduced activity and ataxia of the hind limbs. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extradural mass compressing the spinal cord on the dorsal aspects from the 7th to 8th thoracic vertebra. Dorsal laminectomy was performed on the 7-8th thoracic vertebra and the cyst was totally removed, giving full resolution of the clinical signs. The cyst was diagnosed as a dermoid cyst. To our knowledge, this is the first report of feline dermoid cyst compressing the spinal cord that was diagnosed antemortem. The prognosis is favorable when the cyst is completely resected.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases , Dermoid Cyst , Spinal Cord Neoplasms , Cats , Animals , Female , Dermoid Cyst/diagnostic imaging , Dermoid Cyst/surgery , Dermoid Cyst/veterinary , Spinal Cord Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Spinal Cord Neoplasms/surgery , Spinal Cord Neoplasms/veterinary , Laminectomy/veterinary , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/veterinary , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Cat Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Cat Diseases/surgeryABSTRACT
A 5-month-old intact female mixed cat presented with repetitive paraplegia and drainage of pus from the back despite continuous antibiotic medication. Neurologic examination was consistent with below T3-L3 myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a contrast-enhanced mass in the L1-3 spinal canal, and bone fragments in the T13 and L1 spinal canal. Spinal epidural empyema was suspected, and hemilaminectomy was performed for T12-L2 on the right side and T11-12 on the left side. Bone fragments were diagnosed as sequestrum infected with Bacteroides sp. The cat recovered enough to ambulate next day. One month after surgery, there was no deficit in neurological function. This is the first report of spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat.
