Suspected malnutrition-induced reversible feline skin fragility syndrome in a cat with congenital axial deformities.

A stray cat, an intact female Japanese domestic shorthair cat of unknown age (suspected to be a young adult), was rescued. The cat was lethargic and thin and had marked skin fragility, delayed wound healing without skin hyperextensibility, and hind limb proprioceptive ataxia and paresis. Survey radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed congenital vertebral anomalies, including thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae, scoliosis resulting from a thoracic lateral wedge-shaped vertebra, and a kinked tail, and a dilated spinal cord central canal. Through nutritional support, the cat's general condition normalized, followed by a gradual and complete improvement of skin features. Whole-genome sequencing was completed; however, no pathogenic genetic variant was identified that could have caused this phenotype, including congenital scoliosis. A skin biopsy obtained 7 y after the rescue revealed no remarkable findings on histopathology or transmission electron microscopy. Based on clinical course and microscopic findings, malnutrition-induced reversible feline skin fragility syndrome (FSFS) was suspected, and nutritional support was considered to have improved the skin condition. Key clinical message: This is the second reported case of presumed malnutrition-induced reversible FSFS and was accompanied by long-term follow-up.

Syndrome de fragilité cutanée réversible induit par la malnutrition soupçonné chez un chat avec des difformités axiales congénitales. Un chat errant, une femelle intacte de race japonaise à poil court et d'âge inconnu (suspecté être une jeune adulte), a été secourue. La chatte était léthargique et maigre, et avait une fragilité marquée de la peau, un retard dans la guérison de plaies sans hyperextensibilité de la peau, et une ataxie proprioceptive et parésie des membres postérieurs. Des radiographies, un examen par tomodensitométrie, et de l'imagerie par résonnance magnétique ont révélé des anomalies congénitales des vertèbres, incluant des vertèbres transitionnelles thoraco-lombaires, une scoliose résultant d'une vertèbre thoracique en forme de coin, une queue pliée, et un canal central de la moelle épinière dilaté. Grâce à un soutien nutritionnel, la condition générale du chat s'est stabilisée, suivi d'une amélioration graduelle et complète des caractéristiques de la peau. Le séquençage du génome complet a été effectué; toutefois, aucune variation génétique pathogénique n'a été identifiée qui aurait pu causer ce phénotype, incluant la scoliose congénitale. Une biopsie cutanée obtenue 7 j après le sauvetage n'a révélé aucune trouvaille spéciale à l'histopathologie ou par microscopie électronique à transmission. Basé sur le déroulement clinique et l'examen microscopique, le syndrome de fragilité cutanée réversible félin induit par la malnutrition (FSFS) était suspecté, et le soutien nutritionnel a été considéré comme ayant amélioré la condition cutanée.Message clinique clé :Ce cas est le deuxième cas rapporté de FSFS induit par la malnutrition soupçonné et a fait l'objet d'un suivi à long terme.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Association of a novel dystrophin (DMD) genetic nonsense variant in a cat with X-linked muscular dystrophy with a mild clinical course.

X-linked muscular dystrophy in cats (FXMD) is an uncommon disease, with few reports describing its pathogenic genetic variants. A 9-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was presented with persistent muscle swelling and breathing difficulty from 3 years of age. Serum activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and creatine kinase were abnormally high. Physical and neurological examinations showed muscle swelling in the neck and proximal limb, slow gait, and occasional breathing difficulties. Electromyography showed pseudomyotonic discharges and complex repetitive discharges with a "dive-bomber" sound. Histopathology revealed muscle necrosis and regeneration. Whole-genome sequencing identified a novel and unique hemizygous nonsense genetic variant, c.8333G > A in dystrophin (DMD), potentially causing a premature termination codon (p.Trp2778Ter). Based on a combination of clinical and histological findings and the presence of the DMD nonsense genetic variant, this case was considered FXMD, which showed mild clinical signs and long-term survival, even though immunohistochemical characterization was lacking.

Investigation of the effect and availability of ketamine on electroencephalography in cats with temporal lobe epilepsy.

In recent years, electroencephalography (EEG) in veterinary medicine has become important not only in the diagnosis of epilepsy, but also in determining the epileptogenic focus. In cats, sedation and immobilization, usually with medetomidine or dexmedetomidine, are necessary to place the electrodes and to obtain stable scalp EEG recordings. In this study, we hypothesized that, for cats with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), ketamine, a sedative/anesthetic and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist that activates the limbic system and is also used to treat refractory status epilepticus in dogs, would induce sufficient sedation and immobilization for EEG, as well as induce interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) that are more pronounced than those induced with medetomidine. We obtained EEG recordings from TLE cats and healthy cats administered either ketamine or medetomidine alone (study 1) or ketamine after medetomidine sedation (study 2). In study 1, the frequency of IEDs showed no statistically significant difference between ketamine and medetomidine in both TLE and healthy cats. Seizures were observed in 75% (9/12) cats of the TLE group with ketamine alone. When ketamine was administered after sedation with medetomidine (study 2), 3/18 cats in the TLE group developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure and 1/18 cats showed subclinical seizure activity. However, no seizures were observed in all healthy cats in both study 1 and study 2. Slow wave activity at 2-4 Hz was observed in many individuals after ketamine administration regardless studies and groups, and quantitative analysis in study 2 showed a trend toward increased delta band activities in both groups. While there was no significant difference in the count of IEDs between medetomidine and ketamine, ketamine caused seizures in cats with TLE similar to their habitual seizure type and with a higher seizure frequency. Our results suggest that ketamine may activate epileptiform discharges during EEG recordings. However, caution should be used for cats with TLE.

Age-related brain atrophy in cats without apparent neurological and behavioral signs using voxel-based morphometry.

Introduction: Brain atrophy is observed with aging and may cause cognitive decline or dysfunction. Aging cats may demonstrate behavioral changes related to cognitive dysfunction. In the clinical veterinary field, although the conventional region of interest method by manual or semiauto tracing on magnetic resonance imaging is used to detect atrophy of regional structures, such as the hippocampus, it is difficult to assess atrophy globally. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) has been developed to detect global and regional abnormalities in humans. The purpose of the present study investigates whether the feline brain volume decreases with aging using VBM analysis. Materials: A total of 65 cats, aged 17-200 months, without apparent neurological and behavioral signs were included in the statistical analysis. Results: We observed that the gray matter in the bilateral parietal lobes was decreased significantly with aging. The regions that showed decreased volume included the right postcruciate, cingulate gyrus, rostral suprasylvian/ectosylvian gyri, and the left postcruciate gyrus. No significant reduction in white matter was observed. Together, our results show that age-related brain atrophy can be detected using VBM analysis. Discussion: The age-related atrophy of the parietal cortex may not cause neurological and behavioral signs in cats. Therefore, veterinarians should consider age when assessing the relation between morphometric and functional abnormalities of the parietal cortex in cats.

Clinical characterization of epileptic seizures in Pomeranians with idiopathic epilepsy or epilepsy of unknown cause.

BACKGROUND: Focal epileptic motor seizures manifested by limb contraction have been recognized anecdotally in Pomeranians. OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical features of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) and epilepsy of unknown cause (EUC) in Pomeranians as well as the ADAM23 haplotype frequency previously reported as a common risk haplotype for epilepsy in several breeds of dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight Pomeranians, including 15 with IE and 13 with EUC. Nine Pomeranians with epilepsy and 8 control Pomeranians were used for ADAM23 risk haplotype analysis. METHODS: Case series study including both retrospectively and prospectively collected cases. The ADAM23 haplotype was determined by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Focal epileptic seizures (FS) were the predominant type of seizure in 22 of 28 dogs (78.6%). Among these, 12 of the IE dogs (80.0%) and 10 of the EUC dogs (76.9%) showed FS. Notably, 21 of 22 Pomeranians with FS (95.5%) showed limb contraction during ictal periods. Some dogs with FS also showed immobility, generalized tremors, difficulty walking or moving, autonomic signs, orofacial automatisms or some combination during ictal events. Ten dogs with FS and limb contraction had electroencephalography (EEG) performed, and interictal epileptiform discharges were identified in 9 dogs. The haplotype frequency of ADAM23 in cases was lower (27.8%) than that of the controls (56.3%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In our study, FS was the predominant type of seizure in Pomeranians, and almost all cases with FS showed limb contraction, regardless of whether having IE or EUC.

Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula in 3 cats.

Three young adult cats with intermittent spinal hyperesthesia and paraparesis and diagnosed with spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula are described. In all 3 cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed focal dilatation of the veins in the epidural space of the thoracic spinal cord, whereas computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed dilatation and enhancement from the intercostal vein to the azygos vein at the same site in the arterial phase. Dorsal laminectomy and occlusion of the interarcuate branches running across the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord were performed in all 3 cats to decompress the spinal cord, which resulted in a remission of clinical signs and no recurrence during 14 to 40 months of follow-up after surgery in all cases.

Skeletal radiographic manifestations of GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (Sandhoff disease) in two Japanese domestic cats.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Two Japanese domestic cats with GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0, diagnosed at different times, are included in this case series. Both cats were diagnosed by genetic analysis and had the HEXB:c.667C>T pathogenic genetic variant, which have been previously reported in Japanese domestic cats with GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0. Clinical signs and the identification of vacuolation in circulating lymphocytes were consistent with those in previous reports of feline GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0. Radiography showed that both cases had similar skeletal radiographic manifestations, which has not been previously reported in Japanese domestic cats with GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0. Radiographic findings included abnormally shaped vertebral bodies, obscure or irregular endplates (both of which were seen especially in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae), generalised osteopenia and new bone proliferation around articular facets. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to present the skeletal radiographic abnormalities of Japanese domestic cats with GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 caused by the HEXB:c.667C>T pathogenic genetic variant. Furthermore, together with a report published in 2015 on the radiographic findings of feline GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 caused by another pathogenic genetic variant, this report suggests that these findings may be indicators of feline GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0. The easily obtained radiographic findings described in this report may be useful as a finding suggestive of feline GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0, in addition to the cytological finding of the vacuolated cells. The report emphasises the utility of radiography for diagnosis of cases with suspected progressive neurodegenerative diseases.

Corpus Callosotomy in 3 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Corpus callosotomy (CC) is an established palliative surgery for human patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), especially those with generalized seizures and multiple or unknown epileptogenic focus. However, there are no reports to describe CC in canine patients with epilepsy. Three client-owned Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with DRE are included in this case series. In presurgical evaluations, an apparent epileptogenic zone was not detected in each dog and CC was conducted. Total CC was performed in one dog, whereas the other two received partial CC. One dog recovered from surgery without any complications, but died suddenly by an unknown cause at 10 h after surgery. For the other two dogs, postoperative evaluations including seizure outcomes, complications, and quality of life of the dogs and owners were assessed for at least 12 months. Both dogs showed a remarkable decrease in seizure frequency (averaged 80.3% reduction) and severity after surgery. The antiseizure medications were maintained, and not only the mentation and activity of the dogs, but also the quality of life of dogs and owners were improved postoperatively. Although technical improvement and more large-scale studies are needed, CC is a treatment option for dogs with DRE in veterinary medicine.

Case Report: Corpus Callosotomy in a Cat With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy of Unknown Cause.

A 2-month-old, intact male domestic shorthair cat with dullness, bilateral central blindness, and recurrent epileptic seizures was presented to a local clinic. Seizures were the generalized myoclonic and tonic-clonic type. Phenobarbital was initiated and maintained; however, seizures were not controlled. Other anti-seizure drugs, including levetiracetam, zonisamide, and diazepam, also provided insufficient seizure control with seizures occurring hourly to daily. By 8 months of age, the cat displayed non-ambulatory tetraparesis and deep somnolence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and pre- and post-prandial total bile acid analyses were unremarkable. Scalp electroencephalography (EEG) revealed central dominant but generally synchronized spikes and multiple spikes. The cat was diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy of unknown cause and was included in a clinical trial of epilepsy surgery. Given the unremarkable MRI and bilateral synchronized EEG abnormalities, a corpus callosotomy was performed at 12 months of age, and partial desynchronization of spikes was confirmed on EEG. Incomplete transection was found in the genu of the corpus callosum on postoperative MRI. After surgery, the mental status and ambulation clearly improved, and seizure frequency and duration were remarkably reduced. Recheck with follow-up EEG and MRI were performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Scores of activities of daily living and visual analog scales including cat's and owner's quality of life had also improved considerably. This case report is the first documentation of the one-year clinical outcome of corpus callosotomy in a clinical feline case with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Corrigendum: Focal Cortical Resection and Hippocampectomy in a Cat With Drug-Resistant Structural Epilepsy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.719455.].

Corrigendum: Focal Cortical Resection and Hippocampectomy in a Cat With Drug-Resistant Structural Epilepsy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.719455.].

Focal Cortical Resection and Hippocampectomy in a Cat With Drug-Resistant Structural Epilepsy.

Epilepsy surgery is a common therapeutic option in humans with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, there are few reports of intracranial epilepsy surgery for naturally occurring epilepsy in veterinary medicine. A 12-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat with presumed congenital cortical abnormalities (atrophy) in the right temporo-occipital cortex and hippocampus had been affected with epilepsy from 3 months of age. In addition to recurrent epileptic seizures, the cat exhibited cognitive dysfunction, bilateral blindness, and right forebrain signs. Seizures had been partially controlled (approximately 0.3-0.7 seizures per month) by phenobarbital, zonisamide, diazepam, and gabapentin until 10 years of age; however, they gradually became uncontrollable (approximately 2-3 seizures per month). In order to plan epilepsy surgery, presurgical evaluations including advanced structural magnetic resonance imaging and long-term intracranial video-electroencephalography monitoring were conducted to identify the epileptogenic zone. The epileptogenic zone was suspected in the right atrophied temporo-occipital cortex and hippocampus. Two-step surgery was planned, and a focal cortical resection of that area was performed initially. After the first surgery, seizures were not observed for 2 months, but they then recurred. The second surgery was performed to remove the right atrophic hippocampus and extended area of the right cortex, which showed spikes on intraoperative electrocorticography. After the second operation, although epileptogenic spikes remained in the contralateral occipital lobe, which was suspected as the second epileptogenic focus, seizure frequency decreased to <0.3 seizure per month under treatment with antiseizure drugs at 1.5 years after surgery. There were no apparent complications associated with either operation, although the original neurological signs were unchanged. This is the first exploratory study of intracranial epilepsy surgery for naturally occurring epilepsy, with modern electroclinical and imaging evidence, in veterinary medicine. Along with the spread of advanced diagnostic modalities and neurosurgical devices in veterinary medicine, epilepsy surgery may be an alternative treatment option for drug-resistant epilepsy in cats.

Ventrolateral temporal lobectomy in normal dogs as a counterpart to human anterior temporal lobectomy: a preliminary study on the surgical procedure and complications.

Anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) is a surgical procedure for drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that is commonly performed in human medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ATL-like surgery, i.e., removal of the amygdala and hippocampal head, is possible in dogs, and to investigate its safety and postoperative complications. Eight healthy beagles underwent ATL-like surgery and were observed for 3 months postoperatively. Samples from the surgically resected tissues and postmortem brain were evaluated pathologically. The surgical survival rate was 62.5%. The major postoperative complications were visual impairment, temporal muscle atrophy on the operative side, and a postoperative acute symptomatic seizure. Due to the anatomical differences between dogs and humans, the surgically resected area to approach the medial temporal structures in dogs was the ventrolateral part of the temporal lobe. Therefore, the ATL-like surgery described in this study was named "ventrolateral temporal lobectomy" (VTL). This study is the first report of temporal lobectomy including amygdalohippocampectomy in veterinary medicine and demonstrates its feasibility. Although it requires some degree of skill, VTL could be a treatment option for canine drug-resistant epilepsy and lesions in the mesial temporal lobe.

CT and MRI characteristics of presumptive hypervitaminosis A in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A rescued stray cat with an unknown history was examined for non-ambulatory paraparesis in the hindlimbs. Survey radiographs revealed typical findings of hypervitaminosis A, characterised by vertebral exostoses and extensive osteophytes, mainly in the cervicothoracic spine. CT findings were consistent with the radiographic findings, and CT-based volume rendering and virtual endoscopy into the vertebral canal were created for three-dimensional visualisation of the lesion. MRI revealed a focal and mild dilation of the central canal of the spinal cord. Although the clinical diagnosis of hypervitaminosis A is based on an unusual dietary history and characteristic radiographic findings, the history of this cat was unknown and serum concentrations of vitamin A were unremarkable, when measured >1 month after rescue. However, other possible differential diagnoses were thought to be unlikely and clinical signs never worsened, and thus, hypervitaminosis A was presumed. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, this is the first report to present the CT and MRI characteristics of a cat with suspected hypervitaminosis A.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathologic Findings From a Standard Poodle With Neonatal Encephalopathy With Seizures.

Neonatal encephalopathy with seizures (NEwS) is an epileptic encephalopathy with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern found in Standard Poodle puppies. The causal genetic variant for NEwS has been identified as a homozygous missense mutation in ATF2 (c.152T>G, p.Met51Arg), and a pathological cerebellar change has been reported. Magnetic resonance imaging showed reduced whole-brain size, dilated ventricles, developmental abnormalities of the white matter of the cerebrum, white matter signal abnormalities in the occipital lobe, and abnormal morphology of the cerebellum. Histopathology included previously unrecognized irregular neuronal migration in the subventricular zone around the lateral ventricles in the frontal lobe and white matter rarefaction especially at the level of the occipital lobe in the cerebrum in addition to the cerebellar cortical dysplasia that has been previously described. The findings of this case may highlight the critical role of ATF2 in neurodevelopmental processes in the canine brain.

A Deletion in GDF7 is Associated with a Heritable Forebrain Commissural Malformation Concurrent with Ventriculomegaly and Interhemispheric Cysts in Cats.

An inherited neurologic syndrome in a family of mixed-breed Oriental cats has been characterized as forebrain commissural malformation, concurrent with ventriculomegaly and interhemispheric cysts. However, the genetic basis for this autosomal recessive syndrome in cats is unknown. Forty-three cats were genotyped on the Illumina Infinium Feline 63K iSelect DNA Array and used for analyses. Genome-wide association studies, including a sib-transmission disequilibrium test and a case-control association analysis, and homozygosity mapping, identified a critical region on cat chromosome A3. Short-read whole genome sequencing was completed for a cat trio segregating with the syndrome. A homozygous 7 bp deletion in growth differentiation factor 7 (GDF7) (c.221_227delGCCGCGC [p.Arg74Profs]) was identified in affected cats, by comparison to the 99 Lives Cat variant dataset, validated using Sanger sequencing and genotyped by fragment analyses. This variant was not identified in 192 unaffected cats in the 99 Lives dataset. The variant segregated concordantly in an extended pedigree. In mice, GDF7 mRNA is expressed within the roof plate when commissural axons initiate ventrally-directed growth. This finding emphasized the importance of GDF7 in the neurodevelopmental process in the mammalian brain. A genetic test can be developed for use by cat breeders to eradicate this variant.

Comparison of Canine and Feline Meningiomas Using the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Fractional Anisotropy.

Meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumor in dogs and cats, and their surgical resection is often performed because they are present on the brain surface. Typical meningiomas show comparatively characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings that lead to clinical diagnosis; however, it is necessary to capture not only macroscopic changes but also microstructural changes to devise a strategy for surgical resection and/or quality of removal. To visualize such microstructural changes, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have been used in human medicine. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the different characteristics of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from DWI and fractional anisotropy (FA) from DTI of meningioma between dogs and cats. Statistical analyses were performed to compare ADC and FA values between the intratumoral or peritumoral regions and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) among 13 dogs (13 lesions, but 12 each in ADC and FA analysis) and six cats (seven lesions). The NAWM of cats had a significantly lower ADC and higher FA compared to dogs. Therefore, for a comparison between dogs and cats, we used ADC and FA ratios that were calculated by dividing the subject (intra- or peritumoral) ADC and FA values by those of NAWM on the contralateral side. Regarding the intratumoral region, feline meningiomas showed a significantly lower ADC ratio and higher FA ratio than canine meningiomas. This study suggested that ADC and FA may be able to distinguish a meningioma that is solid and easy to detach, like as typical feline meningiomas.

Kidney and cystic volume imaging for disease presentation and progression in the cat autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease large animal model.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of Persian cats have a c.10063C > A variant in polycystin 1 (PKD1) homolog causing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The variant is lethal in utero when in the homozygous state and is the only ADPKD variant known in cats. Affected cats have a wide range of progression and disease severity. However, cats are an overlooked biomedical model and have not been used to test therapeutics and diets that may support human clinical trials. To reinvigorate the cat as a large animal model for ADPKD, the efficacy of imaging modalities was evaluated and estimates of kidney and fractional cystic volumes (FCV) determined. METHODS: Three imaging modalities, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging examined variation in disease presentation and disease progression in 11 felines with ADPKD. Imaging data was compared to well-known biomarkers for chronic kidney disease and glomerular filtration rate. Total kidney volume, total cystic volume, and FCV were determined for the first time in ADPKD cats. Two cats had follow-up examinations to evaluate progression. RESULTS: FCV measurements were feasible in cats. CT was a rapid and an efficient modality for evaluating therapeutic effects that cause alterations in kidney volume and/or FCV. Biomarkers, including glomerular filtration rate and creatinine, were not predictive for disease progression in feline ADPKD. The wide variation in cystic presentation suggested genetic modifiers likely influence disease progression in cats. All imaging modalities had comparable resolutions to those acquired for humans, and software used for kidney and cystic volume estimates in humans proved useful for cats. CONCLUSIONS: Routine imaging protocols used in veterinary medicine are as robust and efficient for evaluating ADPKD in cats as those used in human medicine. Cats can be identified as fast and slow progressors, thus, could assist with genetic modifier discovery. Software to measure kidney and cystic volume in human ADPKD kidney studies is applicable and efficient in cats. The longer life and larger kidney size span than rodents, similar genetics, disease presentation and progression as humans suggest cats are an efficient biomedical model for evaluation of ADPKD therapeutics.

Dynamic pharyngeal collapse in three cats with different pharyngeal pathology.

Dynamic pharyngeal collapse (PC) is a rarely reported condition in cats defined as the partial or complete collapse of the pharyngeal lumen during inspiration. Herein, we report the imaging findings and clinical features of three cats with dynamic PC. Lateral radiograph of the head was insufficient to detect dynamic PC, but fluoroscopy in conscious cats revealed dynamic PC. Magnetic resonance imaging was not helpful to reveal dynamic PC and underlying diseases. We obtained biopsy samples from the irregular nasopharyngeal mucosal membrane through endoscopy in two of the three cases and high-grade B-cell lymphoma was histopathologically diagnosed. In feline cases with abnormal upper respiratory sounds, dynamic PC should be considered, and fluoroscopy is the imaging technique of choice to diagnose the condition.

Statistical Structural Analysis of Familial Spontaneous Epileptic Cats Using Voxel-Based Morphometry.

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) based on high resolution three-dimensional data of magnetic resonance imaging has been developed as a statistical morphometric imaging analysis method to locate brain abnormalities in humans. Recently, VBM has been used for human patients with psychological or neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Traditional volumetry using region of interest (ROI) is performed manually and the observer needs detailed knowledge of the neuroanatomy having to trace objects of interest on many slices which can cause artificial errors. In contrast, VBM is an automatic technique that has less observer biases compared to the ROI method. In humans, VBM analysis is performed in patients with epilepsy to detect accurately structural abnormalities. Familial spontaneous epileptic cats (FSECs) have been developed as an animal model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. In FSECs, hippocampal asymmetry had been detected using three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) volumetry based on the ROI method. In this study, we produced a standard template of the feline brain and compared FSECs and healthy cats using standard VBM analysis. The feline standard template and tissue probability maps were created using 38 scans from 14 healthy cats. Subsequently, the gray matter was compared between FSECs (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 12) as group analysis and between each FSEC and controls as individual analysis. The feline standard template and tissue probability maps could be created using the VBM tools for humans. There was no significant reduction of GM in the FSEC group compared to the control group. However, 5/25 (20%) FSECs showed significant decreases in the hippocampal and/or amygdaloid regions in individual analysis. Here, we established the feline standard templates of the brain that can be used to determine accurately abnormal zones. Furthermore, like MR volumetry, VBM identified morphometric changes in the hippocampus and/or amygdala in some FSECs.