Sarpekidou E. DVM, PhD Student, Companion Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Politis C. DVM, MSc Student, Companion Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tzortzi I. DVM, MSc Student, Companion Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Pavlidou K. DVM, PhD, Post Doc Researcher, Companion Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Kazakos G. DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Subarachnoid diverticula are lesions located in the subarachnoid space of the central nervous system. They are filled with cerebrospinal fluid and can cause compressive myelopathy. There are few case reports in the literature of diverticulas in cats. The aim of this report is to present a case of subarachnoid diverticulum, between the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebra in a cat.
Clinical case
A 5-year-old, neutered, European shorthair cat was presented to the companion animal clinic with tail paralysis, hind limb paresis, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections progressing throughout the last year. During the neurological examination, the cat presented neurological deficits compatible with severity 2 lumbosacral syndrome (scale 0/5). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a space-occupying cystic spinal lesion between the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebrae.
Results
Surgical spinal decompression was performed through dorsal laminectomy and drainage of the cystic lesion. Additionally, a biopsy was obtained, and examined histopathologically, confirming the presence of subarachnoid diverticulum. Postoperatively, gradual neurological status improvement was observed and at the time of writing, 7 months postoperatively, no signs of relapse were noted.
Conclusions
Surgical treatment of subarachnoid diverticulum can contribute to neurological signs resolution. Although rare, they should be included in the differential diagnosis in cats with signs of compressive myelopathy.
References
- Adams RJ et al. (2015) Acquired cervical spinal arachnoid diverticulum in a cat Journal of Small Animal Practice,56(4), pp. 285–288. doi:10.1111/jsap.12288.
- Schmidt MJ et al. (2007) Recurrent spinal arachnoid cyst in a cat Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 9(6), pp. 509–513. doi: 10.1016/ jjfms.2007.04.006.
