Abstract
ABSTRACT Computed tomography of the head of an otter with a history of incoordination, visual deficits, and seizures was performed. Intracranial images revealed a large non-enhancing fluid attenuating cystic lesion in the left frontoparietal region communicating with the left lateral ventricle and subarachnoid space. These findings are consistent with a congenital brain cavity filled by cerebrospinal fluid, with porencephaly being the most probable diagnosis based on the clinical and tomographic findings. The authors highlight the rarity of such a cystic lesion in wild animals, with this being the first report in otters.
Highlights
Usually presents as an area of cavitation with fluid content within the brain parenchyma which may or may not be connected to the ventricular system and subarachnoid space
Is a more severe form, characterized by absence of the cerebral hemisphere, with the resulting space filled with cerebrospinal fluid within a normal-sized skull (Schmidt et al, 2012)
Main clinical signs include seizures, which are usually refractory to treatment, spastic paresis, and delayed cognitive development (Pokhraj et al, 2014)
Summary
Cystic intracranial malformations filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are occasionally reported in domestic animals and should be considered as a possible cause of seizures, blindness, ataxia, and other neurologic issues (Lee et al, 2009; Mackillop, 2011; Davies et al, 2012; Machado, 2012; Schmidt et al, 2012; Hori et al, 2015). The objective of this paper was to report the case of a CSF-filled cystic lesion in an otter, focusing on the clinical and tomographic aspects, as well as discussing the main differential diagnoses
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