Intradural Dirofilariasis in a Dog with Chronic Cervical Pain

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63
Author(s):  
Kathleen Ann Bonawandt ◽  
Jason M. Berg ◽  
Richard J. Joseph ◽  
Joseph D. Stefanacci

ABSTRACT A 7 yr old female spayed Yorkshire terrier was referred to the author's institute for a 5 mo history of recurrent cervical spinal pain. Neurologic examination did not reveal any deficits. Hematologic and serum analyses were within normal limits. Thoracic radiographs that incorporated the cervical spine did not show structural abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated a contrast enhancing, intradural extramedullary lesion at the level of the C2 vertebra. Hemilaminectomy was performed, during which a long, narrow nematode was visualized upon opening of the dura mater. The parasite was alive when removed during surgery, and the dog recovered with complete resolution of symptoms. The parasite was submitted and confirmed as a male adult Dirofilaria immitis. This is a novel case of an intradural D. immitis infection in the dog with a magnetic resonance imaging description of spinal D. immitis.

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (06) ◽  
pp. 514-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Owen ◽  
M. A. Bush

SummaryA five-year-old neutered female Bassett Hound weighing 29 kg was presented with a two-day history of paraparesis. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of extruded disc material ventral to the spinal cord, from the C7-T1 intervertebral disc. A ventral slot was performed to decompress the cord. In making the approach to the caudal cervical spine, the cranial aspect of the manubrium of the sternum was resected. This improved the exposure of a region normally difficult to expose via a conventional ventral approach to the cervical spine. The successful performance of the ventral slot procedure was greatly facilitated by this adaptation, which was quick and simple to perform, without any apparent adverse affects to the animal.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. E1440-E1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason H. Huang ◽  
Irena Tsui ◽  
Alexander R. Judkins ◽  
Erin Simon ◽  
John K. Birknes ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report an extremely rare case of primary intramedullary germinoma in the cervical spinal cord arising in an 18-year-old man who had not undergone previous surgery or irradiation. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The patient had a 2-month history of intermittent neck pain and a 4-week history of bilateral hand paresthesias and weakness. A magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated a heterogeneous cervical spine lesion with marked contrast enhancement extending from C3 to C6. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a cervical laminotomy with tumor resection, and pathological examination revealed the tumor to be a germinoma. He recovered well from the surgery with minimal neurological deficits. A postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain and spinal cord did not show any other tumors. In addition, imaging studies of the mediastinum, testes, and the rest of the body also did not demonstrate any other tumors. The patient received local radiation as well as three courses of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an intramedullary cervical spine germinoma with confirmed tissue diagnosis. Although extremely uncommon, the possibility of germinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis for primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Sabri Ibrahim

Tuberculosis of the cervical spine is a rare clinical condition (10%), most commonly affected lower thoracic region (40-50% of the cases). Spinal tuberculosis is a destructive form of tuberculosis. It accounts for approximately half of all cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Spinal tuberculosis is more common in children and young adults. The incidence of spinal tuberculosis is increasing in developed nations. Characteristically, there is a destruction of the intervertebral disk space and the adjacent vertebral bodies, collapse of the spinal elements, and anterior wedging leading to kyphosis and gibbus formation. For the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis, magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive than x-ray and more specific than computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging frequently demonstrates an involvement of the vertebral bodies on either side of the disk, disk destruction, cold abscess, vertebral collapse, and presence of vertebral column deformities. Anti-tuberculous treatment remains the cornerstone of treatment. Surgery may be required in selected cases, e.g. large abscess formation, severe kyphosis, an evolving neurological deficit, or lack of response to medical treatment. The quality of debridement and bony fusion is optimal when the anterior approach is used. Posterior fixation is the best means of achieving reduction followed by stable sagittal alignment over time. With early diagnosis and early treatment, the prognosis is generally good.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Asad Naqvi ◽  
Timothy Ariyanayagam ◽  
Mir Akber Ali ◽  
Akhila Rachakonda ◽  
Hema N. Choudur

Objective: The objective of this study was to outline a novel unique concept of secondary impingement of the muscles, myotendons, and tendons of the rotator cuff from hypertrophy as a result of strength training exercises. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 58 patients were referred for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by the orthopedic surgeon to the radiology department over a period of 1½ years. All patients gave a history of strength training exercises and presented with clinical features of rotator cuff impingement. Results: We identified features of hypertrophy of rotator cuff muscles, myotendons, and tendons in 12 of these 58 patients. This was the only abnormality on MRI. The hypertrophy of rotator cuff muscles and tendon bulk completely filling the subacromial space to the point of overfilling and resulting in secondary compressive features. Conclusion: Rotator cuff impingement is a common phenomenon that can occur with various inlet and outlet pathological conditions. However, rotator cuff impingement may also result from muscle and tendon hypertrophy from strength training regimens. Hypertrophy of the rotator cuff can result in overfilling of the subacromial space, leading to secondary impingement, which we have termed as “pseudo-impingement.”


Author(s):  
Hongzhang Zhu ◽  
Shi-Ting Feng ◽  
Xingqi Zhang ◽  
Zunfu Ke ◽  
Ruixi Zeng ◽  
...  

Background: Cutis Verticis Gyrata (CVG) is a rare skin disease caused by overgrowth of the scalp, presenting as cerebriform folds and wrinkles. CVG can be classified into two forms: primary (essential and non-essential) and secondary. The primary non-essential form is often associated with neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities, while the primary essential form occurs without associated comorbidities. Discussion: We report on a rare case of primary essential CVG with a 4-year history of normal-colored scalp skin mass in the parietal-occipital region without symptom in a 34-year-old male patient, retrospectively summarizing his pathological and Computer Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The major clinical observations on the CT and MR sectional images include a thickened dermis and excessive growth of the scalp, forming the characteristic scalp folds. With the help of CT and MRI Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques, the characteristic skin changes could be displayed intuitively, providing more evidence for a diagnosis of CVG. At the 5-year followup, there were no obvious changes in the lesion. Conclusion: Based on our observations, we propose that not all patients with primary essential CVG need surgical intervention, and continuous clinical observation should be an appropriate therapy for those in stable condition.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. E1170-E1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazim Raza ◽  
Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal ◽  
Michael Farrell ◽  
John A. O'Dwyer ◽  
Christopher Pidgeon

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: We report the case history of solitary hypoglossal paraganglioma in a 64-year-old woman. The surgical difficulties encountered in the removal of this challenging tumor are discussed and as a literature review provided. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman presented with a short history of dysphonia, occasional dysphagia, tinnitus, altered taste, and unilateral left-sided tongue wasting. On examination, there was left lower motor hypoglossal paralysis. Imaging showed a discrete enhancing lobulated mass, measuring 2 × 2 cm, in the region of the hypoglossal nerve extending into the hypoglossal canal suggestive of hypoglossal paraganglioma. A left dorsolateral suboccipital craniotomy was performed with the patient in the sitting position. The hypoglossal nerve appeared to be enlarged, and the jugular foramen was normal. Complete surgical debulking of the tumor was not attempted because of its vascular nature. The nerve was decompressed, and neuropathology confirmed a low-grade paraganglioma arising from the hypoglossal nerve. The patient was scheduled to receive stereotactic radiation for further management. CONCLUSION: When a case of solitary hypoglossal paraganglioma is encountered in clinical practice, the aim of management should be mainly focused on achieving a diagnosis and preserving the hypoglossal nerve function. If there is evidence of vascularity in the lesion noted on magnetic resonance imaging, a preoperative angiogram should be obtained with a view for embolization. We decompressed the hypoglossal canal and achieved good improvement in the patient's symptoms. We recommend stereotactic radiosurgery for remnant and small hypoglossal tumors and regular follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging scans.


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