Also see Neoplasia of the Nervous System.
In dogs, neoplasms commonly affecting the spinal cord include osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, meningioma, nerve sheath tumor, and metastatic neoplasia.
Nephroblastoma occurs in young dogs (5–36 months old), with German Shepherd Dogs affected most commonly. This tumor is consistently located within the dura mater between T10 and L2, causing progressive paraparesis.
Diagnosis of spinal neoplasia is based on radiography, myelography, CT or MRI, and surgical biopsy (see myelograms, and views).
Lateral view myelogram showing a filling defect at T13 (arrow) in a dog with spinal meningioma.
Lateral view myelogram showing a filling defect at T13 (arrow) in a dog with spinal meningioma.
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
Ventrodorsal view myelogram showing expansion of the right subarachnoid space (golf tee sign) in a dog with spinal meningioma.
Ventrodorsal view myelogram showing expansion of the right subarachnoid space (golf tee sign) in a dog with spinal meni
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in a cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma. There is a contrast-enhancing mass (arrow) in the right aspect of the vertebral canal from T8 to T10.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in a cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma. There is a contrast-enhancing
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in the same cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma seven months after treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, showing resolution of the mass.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in the same cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma seven months after trea
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
Lateral view myelogram showing a filling defect at T13 (arrow) in a dog with spinal meningioma.
Lateral view myelogram showing a filling defect at T13 (arrow) in a dog with spinal meningioma.
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
Ventrodorsal view myelogram showing expansion of the right subarachnoid space (golf tee sign) in a dog with spinal meningioma.
Ventrodorsal view myelogram showing expansion of the right subarachnoid space (golf tee sign) in a dog with spinal meni
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in a cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma. There is a contrast-enhancing mass (arrow) in the right aspect of the vertebral canal from T8 to T10.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in a cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma. There is a contrast-enhancing
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in the same cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma seven months after treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, showing resolution of the mass.
T1-weighted MRI image with contrast in the same cat with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma seven months after trea
Courtesy of Dr. William Thomas.
Surgical excision is possible in some cases; in general, however, prognosis is poor.
In cats, lymphoma is the most common neoplasia to affect the spinal cord. Adult cats of any age can be affected. An acute or slowly progressive onset of clinical signs is referable to a focal, often painful, lesion of the spinal cord. Approximately 85% of affected cats have positive test results for FeLV, and many have leukemic bone marrow (1).
Pearls & Pitfalls
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Myelography, CT, or MRI shows extradural compression (see MRIs and spinal lymphoma treatment).
Treatment consists of combination chemotherapy, such as prednisone, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide. Remission is possible in many cases; however, long-term prognosis is poor.
In cattle, lymphosarcoma can develop in the epidural space at any level, causing spinal cord compression. Often, an acute onset of paraparesis or recumbency occurs. Usually, there is other evidence of bovine leukosis.
Definitive diagnosis is based on histopathological findings.
Neoplasia is a rare cause of spinal cord disease in horses, pigs, sheep, and goats.
References
Spodnick GJ, Berg J, Moore FM, Cotter SM. Spinal lymphoma in cats: 21 cases (1976-1989). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992;200(3):373-376. doi:10.2460/javma.1992.200.03.373
