Computed tomography-guided brain biopsy for in vivo diagnosis of a cholesterinic granuloma in a horse

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Sep 15;233(6):950-4. doi: 10.2460/javma.233.6.950.

Abstract

Case description: An 8-year-old warmblood mare was evaluated following an acute onset of neurologic abnormalities.

Clinical findings: Computed tomography of the head revealed large masses in both lateral ventricles, and a presumptive diagnosis of cholesterinic granuloma was made.

Treatment and outcome: Freehand biopsy of the intracranial masses was performed under computed tomographic guidance, and histologic examination of biopsy specimens confirmed the diagnosis. No adverse effects associated with the brain biopsy procedure were encountered. Clinical signs resolved, and long-term follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of neurologic deficits. The horse was able to return to its previous level of training.

Clinical relevance: Findings suggested that computed tomographic-guided brain biopsy is feasible in horses and can be used to establish a diagnosis in horses with intracranial masses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / veterinary*
  • Cholesteatoma / diagnosis
  • Cholesteatoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Cholesteatoma / pathology
  • Cholesteatoma / veterinary*
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Choroid Plexus / diagnostic imaging
  • Choroid Plexus / pathology
  • Female
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / diagnosis
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / diagnostic imaging
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / pathology
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / veterinary*
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / radiotherapy
  • Horses
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary*

Substances

  • Cholesterol