Spinal lymphoma in a goat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Comparative Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Paraspinal lymphoma is a rare condition in small ruminants.
• Hindlimb paralysis in goats can stem from various neurological causes.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of paraspinal lymphoma in a goat presenting with hindlimb paralysis.
• To describe the specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with this condition.
• To contribute to the understanding of spinal tumors in veterinary medicine.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year-old Pygmy Wether presented with chronic hindlimb paralysis.
• Neurological examination localized the lesion to the T3-L3 region.
• Advanced diagnostic imaging, including MRI of the lumbar spine, was performed.
• Cytological sampling confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Main Results:

• Neurological examination revealed paraplegia with absent nociception and paraspinal pain.
• MRI demonstrated a compressive, extradural lesion with intervertebral foraminal and vertebral bone marrow extension.
• The lesion exhibited heterogeneous contrast enhancement.
• Cytology confirmed lymphoma as the cause of the lesion.

Conclusions:

• This is the first case report detailing MRI characteristics of paraspinal lymphoma in a goat.
• The findings highlight the utility of MRI in diagnosing spinal tumors in goats.
• Understanding these specific MRI features can aid in early diagnosis and management of similar cases.