Spinal ganglioneuroma in a dog

A 10-year-old mixed-breed dog was examined because of lameness and mutilation of the left hind limb. Neurologic examination revealed ataxia, conscious proprioceptive deficit, muscle atrophy, lack of withdrawal reflex, and hyperreflexia of the patella of the left hind limb. Epidurography revealed right-sided deviation of the dye column at the sixth to seventh lumbar vertebrae. Laminectomy with cytoreduction was performed, and histologic examination revealed ganglioneuroma. Twelve months after surgery, clinical signs recurred and surgery was repeated. The dog's clinical signs were again palliated. The specific type of ganglioneuroma identified in this dog is amenable to surgical resection, unlike many types of spinal cord neoplasia.