Suspected primary glioblastoma multiforme in the canine spinal cord

In vitro anti-tubulin effects of mebendazole and fenbendazole on canine glioma cells

Benzimidazole anthelmintics have reported anti-neoplastic effects both in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro chemosensitivity of three canine glioma cell lines to mebendazole and fenbendazole. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ ) (±SD) obtained from performing the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay after treating J3T, G06-A, and SDT-3G cells for 72 h with mebendazole were 0.030 ± 0.003, 0.080 ± 0.015 and 0.030 ± 0.006 μM respectively, while those for fenbendazole were 0.550  ± 0.015, 1.530 ± 0.159 and 0.690 ± 0.095 μM; treatment of primary canine fibroblasts for 72 h at IC₅₀ showed no significant effect. Immunofluorescence studies showed disruption of tubulin after treatment. Mebendazole and fenbendazole are cytotoxic in canine glioma cell lines in vitro and may be good candidates for treatment of canine gliomas. Further in vivo studies are required.

Canine spinal cord glioma

Spinal cord glioma is uncommonly reported in dogs. We describe the clinicopathologic and diagnostic features of 7 cases of canine spinal cord glioma and briefly review the veterinary literature on this topic. The median age at presentation was 7.2 y. Six females and 1 male were affected and 4 dogs were brachycephalic. The clinical course lasted from 3 d to 12 wk, and clinical signs were progressive and associated with multiple suspected neuroanatomic locations in the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging of 6 cases revealed T2-weighted hyperintense lesions with variable contrast enhancement in the spinal cord. All dogs had a presumptive clinical diagnosis of intraparenchymal neoplasia or myelitis based on history, advanced imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Euthanasia was elected in all cases because of poor outcome despite anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive treatment or because of poor prognosis at the time of diagnosis. Tumor location during autopsy ranged from C1 to L6, with no clear predilection for a specific spinal cord segment. The diagnosis was based on histopathology and the immunohistochemistry expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2, 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and Ki-67. Diagnoses consisted of 4 cases of oligodendroglioma, 2 cases of gliomatosis cerebri, and 1 astrocytoma. This case series further defines the clinicopathologic features of canine spinal glioma and highlights the need for comprehensive immunohistochemistry in addition to routine histopathology to confirm the diagnosis of these tumors.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF DIFFUSE LEPTOMENINGEAL OLIGODENDROGLIOMATOSIS IN A DOG WITH "DURAL TAIL SIGN"

A case of diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis affecting the brain and spinal cord of a dog is presented. A 7.5-year old, male neutered Staffordshire bull terrier presented for evaluation of a chronic history of tetraparesis and seizures, with a multifocal neuroanatomical localization was determined. Extra-axial intradural lesions with an atypical presentation of a dural tail sign were seen on MRI. Histologically, the lesions were consistent with leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis. To the authors' knowledge, a dural tail sign has not previously been reported as an MRI characteristic of diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis in dogs.

Long-term follow-up of surgical treatment of spinal anaplastic astrocytoma in a cat

A 10-year-old spayed female chinchilla feline presented with gradually progressive tetraparesis and cervical pain that had begun 1 month before the onset of a 4-day tetraplegic episode. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large elliptical intramedullary mass at the fourth cervical vertebrae. The mass was removed surgically and diagnosed as an anaplastic astrocytoma. No neurological abnormalities were observed 3 weeks postsurgery. Magnetic resonance at 3.5 year follow-up revealed neither mass regrowth nor recurrence of signs.