Extradural spinal hydatid cyst causing hindlimb ataxia in a horse

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Equine Medicine
• Parasitology

Background:

• A 13-year-old cob-cross gelding presented with acute hindlimb ataxia.
• Neurological deficits appeared three months post-tenoscopy of the right hindlimb digital flexor tendon sheath.
• Initial diagnostics for spinal trauma, including radiography and scintigraphy, were unremarkable.

Observation:

• The gelding's progressive neurological signs led to euthanasia.
• Post-mortem examination revealed spinal cord compression.
• A single extradural hydatid cyst (Echinococcus equinus) was identified at the 15th thoracic vertebra.

Findings:

• Histopathology and PCR confirmed the presence of Echinococcus equinus.
• The hydatid cyst was the cause of spinal cord compression.
• This is the first reported case of a spinal hydatid cyst causing hindlimb ataxia in a horse.

Implications:

• Spinal hydatid cysts should be considered in equine ataxia differential diagnoses.
• This case expands the understanding of Echinococcus equinus pathology in horses.
• Highlights the importance of post-mortem diagnostics for complex neurological cases.