A novel intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor in young dogs

We have studied an unusual, spontaneous, intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor in 12 dogs. Animals presented with paraparesis and ataxia early in life (11/12 ranged from 6 to 38 months of age) suggesting that these tumors may be congenital. Various breeds of dogs were represented with four cases in German Shepherds and three in retrievers; there was no sex predisposition. Post-mortem examinations revealed a single intradural mass consistently located between T10 and L2, which produced extensive compression of the spinal cord. Metastasis was never observed and significant pathological changes in other organs were lacking. Microscopic examination revealed solid sheets of ovoid to fusiform cells interspersed with areas of acinar and tubular differentiation. Some areas were rarified and focal squamous metaplasia was observed. Ultrastructural features included the presence of a continuous basal lamina, junctional complexes, microvilli and occasional cilia at the apices of acinar complexes. Immunocytochemical studies did not support a neurectodermal origin. At least 13 case reports of this entity have been previously published and have been designated ependymomas, medulloepitheliomas and neuroepitheliomas. A recent case was diagnosed as a nephroblastoma and we feel that this is an interesting and provocative diagnosis. These tumors could result from remnants of renal primordium which becomes trapped between the dura and the developing spinal cord. However, firm evidence of such a histogenesis is not yet at hand.