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Surgical Treatment of an Intracranial Epidermoid Cyst in a Dog
Author(s) -
De Decker Steven,
Davies Emma,
Benigni Livia,
Wilson Helen,
Pelligand Ludovic,
Rayner Emma L.,
Shihab Nadia,
Volk Holger A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2012.01010.x
Subject(s) - medicine , epidermoid cyst , fourth ventricle , fluid attenuated inversion recovery , lesion , cyst , magnetic resonance imaging , neurovascular bundle , ventricle , surgery , third ventricle , radiology , anatomy
Objective To report challenges and complications associated with surgical intracranial epidermoid cyst removal from the fourth ventricle of a dog. Study Design Clinical report. Animal Labrador retriever (7 years old) with focal seizures. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) revealed an oval lesion in the fourth ventricle. This lesion was heterogeneously hyperintense on T 2‐weighted and fluid attenuation inversion recovery ( FLAIR ) images and hypointense on T 1‐weighted images. Dilatation of the ventricular system was present. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt ( VPS ) was placed and the fourth ventricle was approached by suboccipital craniectomy. An oval, white mass was identified in the fourth ventricle. Subtotal removal of the mass was performed. Results On the day after surgery, neurologic deterioration was observed. The dog had severe cerebellar and brainstem dysfunction. Histopathologic examination of the removed tissue revealed an epidermoid cyst. The dog experienced gradual neurologic improvement; however, neurologic deterioration beginning at 6 months resulted in euthanasia 8 months after surgery. On necropsy, epidermoid cyst tissue was identified in the fourth ventricle. Conclusion Surgical removal of an intracranial epidermoid cyst may be complicated by adhesions between the cyst capsule and surrounding neurovascular structures, causing postoperative morbidity and eventual recurrence of clinical signs. These observations should be taken into account when considering surgical removal of an intracranial epidermoid cyst.