Unique cytologic and imaging features of a lumbosacral oligodendroglioma in a cat.

A 12-y-old castrated male domestic longhaired cat had progressive paraparesis and neurolocalization of L4-S3. MRI revealed a circumscribed intradural-extraparenchymal mass from L5 to S1 that was T2 and short tau inversion recovery hyperintense and strongly contrast-enhancing. Cytologic interpretation of a blind fine-needle aspirate obtained through the L5-L6 space was a tumor of probable mesenchymal origin. A pair of suspect neoplastic cells was seen on a cytocentrifuged preparation of the atlanto-occipital CSF sample, despite a normal nucleated cell count (0 × 106/L) and total protein (0.11 g/L) with only 3 RBCs × 106/L. Clinical signs progressed despite increasing doses of prednisolone and cytarabine arabinoside. Repeat MRI on day 162 demonstrated tumor progression from L4 to Cd2 vertebral segments with intraparenchymal extension. Surgical tumor debulking was attempted, but an L4-S1 dorsal laminectomy revealed diffusely abnormal neuroparenchyma. Intraoperative cryosection favored lymphoma, and the cat was euthanized intraoperatively 163 d following presentation. Postmortem examination was performed, and the final diagnosis was a high-grade oligodendroglioma. This case illustrates the cytologic, cryosection, and MRI features of a unique clinical presentation of oligodendroglioma.

Spontaneous Pituitary Neoplasm in Two Female Geriatric Southern Giant Pouched Rats (Cricetomys ansorgei).

Southern giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) are a small muroid species native to the sub-Saharan Africa. Their exceptionally developed olfactory system, trainability, and relatively small size makes them useful working animals for various applications in humanitarian work. At our institution, a breeding colony of Southern giant pouched rats is maintained to study their physiology and utility as scent detectors. This case report describes the occurrence of spontaneous pituitary neoplasms with distinct clinical presentations in 2 geriatric (approximately 7.5 y old) wild-caught female Southern giant pouched rats. The first pouched rat displayed vestibular deficits, including left-sided head tilt, ataxia, disorientation, and circling. MRI revealed a large, focal heterogeneous mass arising from the pituitary fossa. The second pouched rat presented with polyuria, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia but no neurologic signs. Examination after euthanasia revealed a prolactin (PRL)-expressing pituitary carcinoma and adenoma in the first and second pouched rat, respectively, associated with mammary hyperplasia in both animals. This is the first report of spontaneous PRL-producing pituitary tumors in Southern giant pouched rats.