Neuropatia periférica focal associada ao linfoma em cães / Focal peripheral neuropathy associated with lymphoma in dogs

ABSTRACT

Background: Peripheral neuropathies result in sensory, motor or autonomic dysfunctions due to impairment of peripheral spinal or cranial nerves. Neoplasms such as lymphoma are cited as one of the many aetiological causes and it mayaffect the nerve directly, by compression, or indirectly (paraneoplastic) by remote action of the neoplasm located in anextra-neural site. This study aimed to report two cases of cranial nerve neuropathy (trigeminal and facial) associated withcanine lymphoma, contributing to a better understanding of its paraneoplastic effects on the nervous system, as well asthe diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.Cases Two cases of canine lymphoma associated with possible signs of paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy were attendedat the Veterinary Hospital from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HV UFMG). Case 1. A spayed mixed breedbitch, with lethargy and unilateral exophthalmos. Brain computed tomography revealed a retrobulbar mass and cytology wasdiagnostic for extranodal lymphoma. Subsequent to computed tomography, the dog was presented with hypotrophy of thefacial musculature and difficulty in grasping food, consistent with trigeminal nerve palsy, which resolved after institutionof the 19-week chemotherapy protocol from the University of Wisconsin. Nevertheless, disease reccurred and a rescueprotocol was initiated. Case 2. A female Dalmatian, spayed, was diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma, after cytologyof the left mandibular lymph node. Chemotherapy was initiated with the same protocol of the previous case. However,the disease progressed and it was observed facial asymmetry with ptosis of the left eyelid, pina and lips, in addition todifficulty in grasping food, suggesting facial and trigeminal cranial nerve palsy. Clinical signs resolved after institutionof a rescue chemotherapy protocol. However, in both cases, disease progression and poor clinical condition resulted in...