Lecture 22

Question 1

What are the characteristics of meningioma?

Answer 1

-extra-axial/outside the brain
-well defined tumor
-common in cats
-treated with surgery and radiation (potentially curative)
-best survival times of the brain tumors

Question 2

What are the characteristics of glioma?

Answer 2

-common in brachycephalic dogs
-intra-axial
-poorly defined; not as easily removed
-treated with surgery and radiation

Question 3

What are the characteristics of pituitary tumors?

Answer 3

-macroadenoma
-ACTH-secreting
-cause blindness by pressing on optic chiasm
-will present as Cushing’s patient
-treated with radiation
-surgery possible but difficult and therefore rarely done

Question 4

What are the characteristics of trigeminal nerve sheath tumor?

Answer 4

-unilateral tumors
-unilateral atrophy of temporalis and masseter muscles
-absent facial sensation
-brainstem dysfunction

Question 5

How are trigeminal nerve sheath tumors diagnosed and treated?

Answer 5

-diagnosed via CT or MRI
-surgery done in humans; not currently done in animals
-radiation therapy done; prognosis poor

Question 6

What is granulomatous meningoencephalitis?

Answer 6

immune-mediated inflammation of the brain, meninges, and spinal cord

Question 7

What is the presentation of granulomatous meningoencephalitis?

Answer 7

-more common in small breeds
-paresis
-blindness
-seizures
-circling
-head tilt
-spinal cord signs

Question 8

How is granulomatous meningoencephalitis diagnosed?

Answer 8

*MRI
*CSF analysis

Question 9

What are the characteristics of CSF analysis for granulomatous meningoencephalitis diagnosis?

Answer 9

-normal CSF is clear, watery, and has less than 5 cells present
-CSF in GME patients will have increased protein and WBCs and presence of mononuclear or mixed cells

Question 10

What are the characteristics of necrotizing meningoencephalitis?

Answer 10

-most common in pugs, maltese, yorkies, and other small breeds
-present with circling, blindness, seizures, and hemiparesis
-worse prognosis compared to granulomatous meningoencephalitis
-causes focal or multifocal regions of necrosis

Question 11

What are the treatment steps for GME and NME?

Answer 11

-start with prednisone; try to wean over time
-cytosine arabinoside
-cyclosporine
-other immunosuppressive therapy

Question 12

What is the typical rule of thirds for inflammatory neurologic conditions?

Answer 12

-one third of patients respond well and recover
-one third of patients respond but need lifelong therapy
-one third of patients do not respond and die

Question 13

How does the presentation of canine distemper vary based on age?

Answer 13

*young dogs:
-systemic illness
-acute encephalitis

*adult dogs:
-chronic encephalitis

Question 14

How is canine distemper diagnosed?

Answer 14

*myoclonus
*retinochoroiditis
*lymphopenia
*serology
-confounded by vaccine
*CSF analysis
-mononuclear pleocytosis and antibodies against distemper

Question 15

What are the characteristics of feline infectious peritonitis?

Answer 15

-caused by mutated coronavirus
-non-effusive/dry form causes neuro. signs
-vestibular and spinal cord signs/lesions common

Question 16

Why is it important to NOT base an FIP diagnosis on a viral testing panel?

Answer 16

-most cats will be positive for coronavirus on testing
-panel does NOT detect the mutated coronavirus that causes FIP

Question 17

What are other infectious causes of encephalitis besides distemper and FIP?

Answer 17

*tick-borne:
-rocky mountain spotted fever
-E. canis

*fungal:
-cryptococcus
-blastomyces
-coccidiomycosis
-histoplasma

*protozoan:
-toxoplasma
-neospora

Question 18

What are the characteristics of cuterebra migration?

Answer 18

-more common in cats
-mostly in summer and fall
-causes respiratory signs
-neuro. signs include circling, hemiparesis, blindness, and seizures

Question 19

What are the characteristics of stroke due to ischemia?

Answer 19

-reduction in blood flow below level necessary for normal function
-causes transient ischemic attack
-more common in vet med

Question 20

What are the characteristics of stroke due to infarction?

Answer 20

-severe, prolonged ischemia
-results in area of necrosis

Question 21

What are the signs of stroke?

Answer 21

*acute onset of focal brain lesion

*forebrain:
-seizures
-circling
-hemiparesis

*brainstem/cerebellum:
-head tilt
-ataxia

Question 22

How is stroke diagnosed?

Answer 22

-clinical features
-MRI

Question 23

What is the treatment for stroke?

Answer 23

-anti-seizure medication
-hydration maintenance
-oxygenation

Question 24

What are possible underlying causes of stroke?

Answer 24

-hypothyroidism
-coagulopathy
-renal disease
-Cushing’s