Abstract
A 9-month-old domestic shorthair cat had progressive ambulatory paraparesis, proprioceptive ataxia, and thoracolumbar hyperesthesia. An extradural mass affecting the left pedicle and lamina of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) causing marked spinal cord impingement was identified in magnetic resonance (MR) images. The mass was predominantly calcified in computed tomographic (CT) images. A hemilaminectomy was performed to resect the mass. Clinical signs were greatly improved at 12-month follow-up. The histopathologic diagnosis was vascular hamartoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the MR characteristics of a vascular hamartoma associated with the vertebral column.
Highlights
A hamartoma is an excessive and unorganized growth of normal cells and associated tissue that are intrinsic to the organ in which they occur and is considered to be congenital malformation.[2]
The majority of hamartomas are diagnosed in young patients, often before the onset of skeletal maturity. 4-6
Hamartomas may occur as an incidental finding; depending on their location, vascular hamartomas can cause clinical signs secondary to spontaneous hemorrhage, mass effect, or adherence to adjacent tissues.[2, 7,8,9]
Summary
The cat was anesthetized in dorsal recumbency for MR imaging of the thoracolumbar vertebral column using a 1.5 Tesla scanner (Intera, Philips Medical Systems, Surrey, UK) and a spinal coil. A solitary focal, extradural mass was identified continuous with the left pedicle and lamina of the L2 vertebra, extending into the vertebral canal and causing marked spinal cord impingement (Fig. 1).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
