MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF SPONGY DEGENERATION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IN A LABRADOR RETRIEVER |
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| Authors: | Christopher L Mariani DVM Roger M Clemmons DVM PhD John P Graham MVB MSc Lynette A Phillips DVM PhD Cheryl L Chrisman DVM MS EDS |
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| Institution: | Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Health Science Center, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA. |
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| Abstract: | A 7-month-old, neutered female Labrador Retriever was evaluated for tetraparesis and subtle cerebellar dysfunction. Clinical signs progressed over a period of 6 weeks to severe ataxia, hypermetria, intention tremors, and finally non-ambulatory tetraparesis. On magnetic resonance imaging of the brain there were large, bilaterally symmetrical, ovoid lesions in the region of the deep cerebellar nuclei that were hyperintense on T2-weighted and proton density images and hypointense on T1-weighted images. There were similar but smaller bilaterally symmetrical lesions present within the thalamus. Euthanasia was performed and lesions consistent with the previously described spongy degeneration of Labrador Retrievers were identified. This disease and its relation to similar human heritable leukodystrophies are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | dog canine spongy degeneration Labrador Retrievers Canavan's disease cerebellum MRI |
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