Disseminated meningeal tumor in a dog

A 6-year-old Golden Retriever was referred for evaluation of hind limb paresis and generalized weakness. Neurologic examination revealed multifocal cervical and lumbosacral spinal disease. Radiography and myelography failed to identify a lesion. Cerebrospinal fluid was markedly cellular and had a high protein concentration, consistent with myelitis or a neoplastic process. The dog did not improve with medical management. Gross and histologic examination of the brain and spinal cord revealed a thick meningeal surface characterized by polymorphic histiocytic-like cells to multinucleate giant cells. The neoplastic process was considered to be a disseminated meningeal polymorphic cell sarcoma.