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Published on: May 19, 2015
MRI findings in six dogs with ependymoma of the brain and spinal cord
John F Griffin1, William S Stevenson2, Nathan C Nelson3
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
There are few published descriptions of the MRI appearance of canine intracranial or spinal cord ependymoma. In this multicenter, retrospective, secondary analysis, case series study, three veterinary radiologists independently reviewed and recorded imaging characteristics of MRI studies in six dogs with histopathologically confirmed ependymoma (three intracranial and three spinal cord cases). A consensus was reached when there was disagreement on specific features. All intracranial ependymomas had forebrain location, heterogeneous signal intensity in T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images, heterogeneous contrast enhancement, and hyperintensity in T2W images. Two ependymomas had an intraventricular location; one was intra-axial. Other imaging features included intralesional cyst-like structures, intralesional hemorrhage, and perilesional edema. Dogs with spinal cord ependymoma had intramedullary lesions located in the cervical or thoracic spinal cord. Spinal cord ependymomas were isointense and homogeneous in T1W images and hyperintense in T2W images. Lesion location relative to the central canal of the spinal cord was variable. All three spinal cord ependymomas had perilesional T2W hyperintensity and moderate, heterogeneous contrast enhancement. None of the spinal cord ependymomas had intralesional cyst-like structures. One spinal cord ependymoma had evidence of drop metastases (diffuse, leptomeningeal). MRI features of canine ependymomas overlap with those of other diseases of the brain and spinal cord. Ependymoma should be considered a differential diagnosis for dogs with intraventricular, intra-axial forebrain, or intramedullary spinal cord masses.
Insights
MRI findings for canine ependymoma, a rare brain and spinal cord tumor, were described. Intracranial tumors were heterogeneous, while spinal tumors were isointense and homogeneous, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Radiology
- Canine Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Ependymomas are rare tumors arising from ependymal cells lining the ventricles and central canal.
- Published MRI descriptions of canine intracranial and spinal cord ependymomas are limited.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on detailed imaging characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of canine intracranial and spinal cord ependymomas.
- To identify key imaging features that differentiate ependymomas from other central nervous system masses in dogs.
- To establish ependymoma as a differential diagnosis for specific lesion types.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter, retrospective, secondary analysis case series study.
- Review of MRI studies from six dogs with histopathologically confirmed ependymoma.
- Independent review by three veterinary radiologists, with consensus reached on imaging features.
Main Results:
- Intracranial ependymomas: forebrain location, heterogeneous signal (T1W, T2W), heterogeneous enhancement, T2W hyperintensity. Features included intraventricular/intra-axial location, cysts, hemorrhage, and edema.
- Spinal cord ependymomas: intramedullary (cervical/thoracic), isointense/homogeneous T1W, T2W hyperintense. Variable location relative to central canal, perilesional T2W hyperintensity, moderate/heterogeneous enhancement. No cysts; one had drop metastases.
- Imaging features overlap with other CNS diseases.
Conclusions:
- MRI characteristics of canine ependymomas vary between intracranial and spinal locations.
- Ependymoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for intraventricular, intra-axial forebrain, or intramedullary spinal cord masses in dogs.
- Further research into specific imaging biomarkers is warranted.
