Central primitive neuroectodermal tumour with ependymal differentiation in a dog

A central primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) with ependymal differentiation was identified in an 18-month-old female Australian terrier dog that died following signs of central nervous system disease. A large space-occupying haemorrhagic mass replaced the thalamus and part of the hypothalamus of the brain. Microscopical examination revealed a tumour formed by a compact sheet of small cells that contained ependymal and perivascular pseudorosettes. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells variably expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, vimentin and cytokeratin, consistent with divergent differentiation of the tumour. This case is thought to represent the first description of PNET with ependymal differentiation in a dog.