Metastatic extradural melanoma of the lumbar spine in a cat

Abstract A 7‐year‐old neutered male Domestic shorthair cat, with a 1.5‐year history of left eye enucleation secondary to a diffuse iris malignant melanoma, was evaluated for progressive onset of pelvic limb paresis and ataxia with severe thoracolumbar hyperaesthesia and dysorexia. Neurological exami...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sabrina Fert, Pablo River, Laura Bondonny, Laurent Cauzinille
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-11-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1248
Description
Summary:Abstract A 7‐year‐old neutered male Domestic shorthair cat, with a 1.5‐year history of left eye enucleation secondary to a diffuse iris malignant melanoma, was evaluated for progressive onset of pelvic limb paresis and ataxia with severe thoracolumbar hyperaesthesia and dysorexia. Neurological examination localised a lesion to the T3–L3 spinal cord segments. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spine showed a well‐defined extradural T1‐weighted hyperintense non‐contrast‐enhancing mass, initially suggesting a potential haemorrhagic component. Exploratory surgery revealed a brownish extradural lumbar mass. Histologic examination concluded to a melanoma, most probably metastatic given the animal's previous medical history. This report highlights the importance of collecting a complete medical history, which can help in obtaining a preliminary differential diagnosis in cats with clinical signs of myelopathy. Although the location of this metastasis is particularly unusual both in human and veterinary medicine, making optimal treatment challenging for neurosurgeon, our increased understanding of immune and tumour cell biology during the past decade is likely to improve the future treatments of feline melanoma and its metastases.
ISSN:2053-1095