Abstract
ABSTRACT: Congenital malformations are functional and structural changes in organ systems, tissues, or organs that may develop during the embryonic or fetal phase. Spinal cord malformations, such as segmental hypoplasia of the spinal cord (SHSC) and syringomyelia, are rare in bovines. A Girolando calf from Valença, Rio de Janeiro, was admitted to the Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro because of motor incoordination. Clinical evaluation revealed a 5-cm depression area in the spine at the dorsal line of the thoracic region. Neurological examination revealed reduced proprioception, pelvic limb extension with increased nociceptive activity, and reduced anal reflex. In radiographic examination, the body of the T11 vertebra had a trapezoidal wedge shape with ventral hemivertebra, probable agenesis or hypoplasia of the T11-T12 spinous processes, and fusion of the T9-T10 spinous processes. Myelography revealed extradural spinal compression caused by vertebral malformations. Necropsy showed no spinous processes (T11-T12), cranial stenosis in the medullary canal (T11-T13), and 1-3-mm pores in the white matter of the thoracic spinal cord (T8-T11). Microscopy revealed cystic dilatations in the white matter (T9-T11), cystic areas of varying sizes (T8-T9), and moderate reduction in the gray matter around the central canal of the medulla (T11-T13). Here, we reported the clinical and pathological findings of SHSC and syringomyelia in a Girolando calf. The features should be differentiated from other spinal cord syndromes. Congenital malformations are of economic importance, and their etiology and diagnosis are fundamental to disease control and progenitor-selection programs.
Highlights
RESUMO: Malformações congênitas são alterações funcionais e estruturais dos sistemas, tecidos ou órgãos que podem ocorrer na fase embrionária ou fetal
Congenital malformations are functional and structural changes in organ systems, tissues, or organs that may occur in the embryonic or fetal phase (DANTAS et al, 2010; MACEDO et al, 2011). Their etiology in cattle may be associated with infectious agents, ingestion of toxic plants, chemical agents, nutritional deficiencies, and hereditary factors (DE LAHUNTA & GLASS, 2009; CANTILE & YOUSSEF, 2016)
Syringomyelia is the formation of tubular cavitations in the spinal cord not surrounded by the ependyma and separated from the central canal, which distinguishes this medical condition from hydromyelia
Summary
RESUMO: Malformações congênitas são alterações funcionais e estruturais dos sistemas, tecidos ou órgãos que podem ocorrer na fase embrionária ou fetal. We reported the clinical and pathological findings of SHSC and syringomyelia in a Girolando calf. Myelodysplastic syndromes, including brachyspine syndrome, Perosomus elumbis infection, and complex vertebral malformation, are reported more frequently than SHSC in calves and should be differentiated from other congenital spinal cord syndromes. In the histopathological analysis of the spinal cord, as seen by ALBERNAZ et al (2014), depletion of the dorsal and ventral gray horns and reduced white matter structures were observed, confirming SHSC. SHSC is associated with a combination of hydromyelia, syringomyelia, absence or interruption of the central canal, and gray matter dysplasia (SUMMERS et al, 1995; CANTILE & YOUSSEF, 2016). For the calf in the present report, radiography and myelography contributed to the diagnosis, indicating bone malformations and spinal cord compression. SHSC and syringomyelia could be diagnosed only through necropsy and histopathology
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