[Spinal nephroblastoma at an uncommon localization in a dog]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Canine Oncology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Progressive hindlimb paresis in dogs can indicate serious spinal cord conditions.
• Intradural-extramedullary spinal tumors are rare but can cause significant neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To diagnose and treat a case of progressive hindlimb paresis in an Otterhound.
• To investigate the efficacy of surgical intervention and radiation therapy for spinal nephroblastoma in a canine patient.

Main Methods:

• Neurological examination to localize the deficit to the L4-S1 region.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify an intradural-extramedullary mass.
• Surgical excision of the spinal tumor, followed by radiation therapy.

Main Results:

• A nephroblastoma was histopathologically diagnosed.
• The mass was surgically removed, with the exception of the intramedullary portion.
• The dog achieved full neurological recovery 9 months post-treatment without recurrence.

Conclusions:

• Nephroblastoma is a treatable cause of spinal cord neoplasia in dogs.
• A multimodal approach involving surgery and radiation therapy can lead to excellent outcomes for spinal tumors.