Multifocal Hemorrhages Research Articles

Primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a Labrador retriever dog

A 10 years old Labrador retriever female had history of coughing along with occasionally hemoptysis, laboured breathing, restlessness and exercise intolerance. Radiography revealed extensive areas of pulmonary consolidation along with increased cardiac silhouette. The dog did not respond to treatment and succumbed. On necropsy, almost 90% of the caudal left lobe of lung was effaced and markedly expanded by neoplastic mass. On cutting, the tumorous lung revealed white to grey, firm, multi-lobulated mass with accumulation of mucus. Both the cardiac ventricles were dilated with more severity in right side. On microscopic examination, neoplastic cells of lung were arranged in papillary (predominate pattern), acinar or occasionally micropapillary pattern. High cuboidal to columnar neoplastic cells showed ample eosinophilic cytoplasm and round to oval nuclei. Alveoli were filled with inflammatory cells mixed with mucus. Neoplasm showed multifocal necrosis and hemorrhages. On the basis of gross and histopathology, the neoplasm was diagnosed as primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Suspected toxicity by biological waste and air sac nematode infestation in a free-living peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

This case report describes an uncommon complex of mortality in a free living peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). The bird was found rinsed with biologic waste and the integument was mildly inflamed. No respiratory signs were detected at first. In addition, no alterations were detected during. During orthopaedic, neurologic, ophthalmologic and radiographic examinations. Parasitological pharyngeal and faecal examination revealed Capillaria spp. and Serratospiculum spp. eggs. The therapeutic scheme included stress reduction, supportive therapy with fluids, antifungals, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic agents and nutritional management. Cleaning with dishwashing gel to remove the biological waste took place, but its removal was partial. Despite the intensive care, the patient developed respiratory distress and succumbed on the fifth day of hospitalization. Pathological examination revealed adult Serratospiculum tendo parasites in the air sacs and Capillaria spp. in the large intestine. Bacteriological and mycological cultures revealed significant growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from the skin, heart, lung, liver, kidney and intestine and a mild presence of Candida albicans in the large intestine. Their probable role was judged as secondary. Mild multifocal haemorrhages with heterophilic and lymphohistiocytic infiltrates, fibrin and rod‑like bacteria were detected in the skin histopathologically, confirming the clinical integument inflammation. Cause of death was asphyxia caused by oedema, haemorrhages and blood congestion of the lung. The contribution of S. tendo in the initial spill event and case evolution is discussed. This unusual case highlights the complexity of the wildlife cases, with which avian or small animal clinicians (consulting rehabilitation centres or falconers) might be confronted. Although the application of ancillary and advanced diagnostic tools, the in-depth knowledge of the species and the intensive monitoring are important, this might lead to an unrewarding outcome. Financial constraints in wildlife casualty cases urge the critical choice of diagnostic, therapeutic and post-mortem laboratory testing. Serratospiculum tendo should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory distress in free-living peregrine falcons, presented in rehabilitation centres or in private practise by falconers in Greece and Europe.

Frontal and occipital horn ratio is associated with multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhages in neonatal shunted hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE Placement of a cerebrospinal fluid diversion device (i.e., shunt) is a routine pediatric neurosurgical procedure, often performed in the first weeks of life for treatment of congenital hydrocephalus. In the postoperative period, shunt placement may be complicated by subdural, catheter tract, parenchymal, and intraventricular hemorrhages. The authors observed a subset of infants and neonates who developed multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhages (MIPH) following shunt placement and sought to determine any predisposing perioperative variables. METHODS A retrospective review of the electronic medical record at a tertiary-care children's hospital was performed for the period 1998-2015. Inclusion criteria consisted of shunt placement, age < 30 days, and available pre- and postoperative brain imaging. The following data were collected and analyzed for each case: ventricular size ratios, laboratory values, clinical presentation, shunt and valve type, and operative timing and approach. RESULTS A total of 121 neonates met the inclusion criteria for the study, and 11 patients (9.1%) had MIPH following shunt placement. The preoperative frontal and occipital horn ratio (FOR) was significantly higher in the patients with MIPH than in those without (0.65 vs 0.57, p < 0.001). The change in FOR (∆FOR) after shunt placement was significantly greater in the MIPH group (0.14 vs 0.08, p = 0.04). Among neonates who developed MIPH, aqueductal stenosis was the most common etiology (45%). The type of shunt valve was associated with incidence of MIPH (p < 0.001). Preoperative clinical parameters, including head circumference, bulging fontanelle, and coagulopathy, were not significantly associated with development of MIPH. CONCLUSIONS MIPH represents an underrecognized complication of neonatal shunted hydrocephalus. Markers of severity of ventriculomegaly (FOR) and ventricular response to CSF diversion (∆FOR) were significantly associated with occurrence of MIPH. Choice of shunt and etiology of hydrocephalus were also significantly associated with MIPH. After adjusting for corrected age, etiology of hydrocephalus, and shunt setting, the authors found that ∆FOR after shunting was still associated with MIPH. A prospective study of MIPH prevention strategies and assessment of possible implications for patient outcomes is needed.

Chaetomiaceae Fungi, Novel Pathogens of Equine Neurotropic Phaeohyphomycosis.

Many previously unrecognized fungi are emerging as potential pathogens. One such group is dematiaceous fungi of the Chaetomiaceae family (phylum Ascomycota, class Sordariomycetes). These fungi are rare causes of opportunistic, neurotropic phaeohyphomycosis in humans but are not known to cause similar infections in animals. The aims of this study were to investigate equine hyphal mycotic encephalitis, characterize key histopathologic features, and classify causative organisms with molecular diagnostic techniques. Seven cases were evaluated by histopathology. Panfungal PCR targeting the ribosomal RNA large subunit coding region and the noncoding internal transcribed spacer-2 region was performed on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of affected brain, and the resulting sequences were queried against published fungal genomes. Affected animals ranged from 8 to 22 years of age and presented with neurologic signs. Macroscopic lesions within affected brains included multifocal hemorrhage, focal swelling of the thalamus with red and yellow discoloration, and focal cerebral malacia. Major histologic findings included multifocal discrete foci of necrosis, neutrophilic to granulomatous inflammation, vasculitis, and intralesional fungal hyphae variably affecting the cerebrum, thalamus, and brainstem. DNA sequences in 4 cases showed > 98% homology with species within the Chaetomiaceae family, including Acrophialophora fusispora, Acrophialophora levis, and Chaetomium strumarium. Histomorphologically, Chaetomiaceae fungi were 7 to 10 μm wide, septate, parallel walled, and nonpigmented, with dichotomous branching in affected horses. This case series is the first report of equine mycotic encephalitis caused by members of the Chaetomiaceae family, previously reported as rare emerging pathogens in humans.

Bromadiolone Induced Oxidative Stress and Cytological Damage in Layer Birds

This study was undertaken to evaluate the oxidative stress induced by bromadiolone toxicity in layers. Birds were divided into two groups. Control group (I) received bromadiolone free feed and group (II) was exposed to bromadiolone (5 mg/kg feed) for seven weeks. Blood samples and organs were collected at the end of the experiment. Bromadiolone exposure resulted in significant rise in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in erythrocyte and liver. In addition decreased ( P <0.05) level of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were observed in erythrocyte and liver. Histopathological results revealed mild to severe type of necrosis and degenerative changes in heart and liver of bromadiolone intoxicated animals. In addition histopathological findings of tissues ovary, liver, heart and pancreas also showed generalized haemorrhage. It is therefore concluded that feeding of bromadiolone admixed feed lead to depletion of Vitamin K causing multifocal haemorrhages and oxidative stress and cellular damage in different tissues.

Transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum in moose (Alces alces).

A 5-years-old moose (Alces alces) cow kept in a zoo in the German Federal State of Brandenburg aborted a female foetus of 44cm crown rump length (CRL). Pathohistological analysis revealed several Neospora (N.) caninum infected cells and cysts, as well as multifocal gliosis, necrosis, haemorrhages, dystrophic mineralisation and haemosiderosis in the brain, predominantly in cerebrum and brainstem. In addition, mild lymphocytic meningitis was present. Together with the fresh foetus, a mummified foetus of 16cm CRL was expelled. Neither focal necrosis, nor inflammation was detected in the brain of the mummified foetus. By two polymerase chain reactions (PCR) targeting the pNc5 gene of N. caninum (i.e. an end point PCR and a real-time PCR), by two serological methods (immunofluorescence test and immunoblot), by histological and immunohistochemical analyses, transplacental N. caninum infection was confirmed in the fresh foetus and interpreted as possible cause of abortion. Infection with other agents causing abortion including Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BHV1), Bluetongue Virus (BTV), Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), Brucella spp., Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii were excluded. Our findings show that control measures may be necessary to protect captive moose against accidental N. caninum infection. Further studies are needed to explore the importance of neosporosis in wild and captive moose.

Neurologic Complications of Transplantation.

Neurologic disturbances including encephalopathy, seizures, and focal deficits complicate the course 10-30% of patients undergoing organ or stem cell transplantation. While much or this morbidity is multifactorial and often associated with extra-cerebral dysfunction (e.g., graft dysfunction, metabolic derangements), immunosuppressive drugs also contribute significantly. This can either be through direct toxicity (e.g., posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome from calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus in the acute postoperative period) or by facilitating opportunistic infections in the months after transplantation. Other neurologic syndromes such as akinetic mutism and osmotic demyelination may also occur. While much of this neurologic dysfunction may be reversible if related to metabolic factors or drug toxicity (and the etiology is recognized and reversed), cases of multifocal cerebral infarction, hemorrhage, or infection may have poor outcomes. As transplant patients survive longer, delayed infections (such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) and post-transplant malignancies are increasingly reported.

The Clinical Value of Intraoperative Mobile Computed Tomography in Managing High-Risk Surgical Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury–A Single Tertiary Trauma Center Experience

A subset of surgically treated patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) cannot be stabilized by initial surgery. Mobile computed tomography (CT) provides real-time information for diagnosis in these TBI surgically high-risk (TBI-SHR) patients. The objective of this study was to analyze a 5-year series of TBI-SHR patients to evaluate the impact of intraoperative mobile CT (imCT) on prognosis. Of 1017 surgically treated patients with TBI retrospectively reviewed over a 5-year period (2009-2013), 59 patients required second operations within 72 hours of their initial surgery because of progressive or delayed hematomas (TBI-SHR group). Their clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative findings were compared among 19 patients who received imCT versus 40 patients who received fixed-unit CT. Our TBI-SHR group accounted for 5.8% of all surgically treated patients with TBI. The use of imCT led to a change in surgical plan in 56% of patients with TBI intraoperatively. Younger patients (≤55 years; P < 0.05) with multifocal hemorrhage on preoperative CT (P= 0.033) and with an intraoperative unexpected event such as intraoperative intracranial pressure >20 mm Hg or acute brain swelling after adequate decompression (P= 0.003 and 0.004, respectively) significantly benefited from imCT in the TBI-SHR group. imCT also provided a quicker diagnosis (P< 0.001), led to a trend toward shorter intensive care unit stays (P= 0.077), and was associated with better neurologic outcomes at discharge days (P= 0.044). The use of imCT is associated with better neurologic outcomes at discharge days compared with the use of fixed-unit CT in TBI-SHR patients.

Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Small Molecule Inhibitors Induce a Distinct Pancreatic Toxicity in Rats.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a member of the Tec family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases involved in B-cell and myeloid cell signaling. Small molecule inhibitors of BTK are being investigated for treatment of several hematologic cancers and autoimmune diseases. GDC-0853 ((S)-2-(3'-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methyl-5-((5-(2-methyl-4-(oxetan-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl)amino)-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-[3,4'-bipyridin]-2'-yl)-7,7-dimethyl-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopenta[4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-1(6H)-one) is a selective and reversible oral small-molecule BTK inhibitor in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, administration of GDC-0853 and other structurally diverse BTK inhibitors for 7 days or longer caused pancreatic lesions consisting of multifocal islet-centered hemorrhage, inflammation, fibrosis, and pigment-laden macrophages with adjacent lobular exocrine acinar cell atrophy, degeneration, and inflammation. Similar findings were not observed in mice or dogs at much higher exposures. Hemorrhage in the peri-islet vasculature emerged between four and seven daily doses of GDC-0853 and was histologically similar to spontaneously occurring changes in aging SD rats. This suggests that GDC-0853 could exacerbate a background finding in younger animals. Glucose homeostasis was dysregulated following a glucose challenge; however, this occurred only after 28 days of administration and was not directly associated with onset or severity of pancreatic lesions. There were no changes in other common serum biomarkers assessing endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function. Additionally, these lesions were not readily detectable via Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Our results indicate that pancreatic lesions in rats are likely a class effect of BTK inhibitors, which may exacerbate an islet-centered pathology that is unlikely to be relevant to humans.

Early plasma transfusion is associated with improved survival after isolated traumatic brain injury in patients with multifocal intracranial hemorrhage

Plasma-based resuscitation improves outcomes in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock, while large-animal and limited clinical data suggest that it also improves outcomes and is neuroprotective in the setting of combined hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. However, the choice of initial resuscitation fluid, including the role of plasma, is unclear for patients after isolated traumatic brain injury. We reviewed adult trauma patients admitted from January 2011 to July 2015 with isolated traumatic brain injury. "Early plasma" was defined as transfusion of plasma within 4hours. Purposeful multiple logistic regression modeling was performed to analyze the relationship of early plasma and inhospital survival. After testing for interaction, subgroup analysis was performed based on the pattern of brain injury on initial head computed tomography: epidural hematoma, intraparenchymal contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, or multifocal intracranial hemorrhage. Of the 633 isolated traumatic brain injury patients included, 178 (28%) who received early plasma were injured more severely coagulopathic, hypoperfused, and hypotensive on admission. Survival was similar in the early plasma versus no early plasma groups (78% vs 84%, P=.08). After adjustment for covariates, early plasma was not associated with improved survival (odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 0.71-1.96). On subgroup analysis, multifocal intracranial hemorrhage was the largest subgroup with 242 patients. Of these, 61 (25%) received plasma within 4hours. Within-group logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates found that early plasma was associated with improved survival (odds ratio 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.20-9.35). Although early plasma transfusion was not associated with improved in-hospital survival for all isolated traumatic brain injury patients, early plasma was associated with increased in-hospital survival in those with multifocal intracranial hemorrhage.

Plasma Transfusion Is Associated with Improved Survival after Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients with Multifocal Intracranial Hemorrhage

Plasma Transfusion Is Associated with Improved Survival after Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients with Multifocal Intracranial Hemorrhage

Experimental infection of calves with Haemonchus placei or Haemonchus contortus: Assessment of clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters and histopathological characteristics of abomasums

The present study had the primary objective of evaluating clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as observing anatomical and histopathological characteristics of abomasums, from calves prime-infected with Haemonchus contortus or H. placei. Ten male Holstein newborns were subdivided in three groups (GI placebo; GII infected with H. contortus; GIII inoculated with H. placei). Eye mucosa staining was evaluated. Hematological and biochemical tests were performed on animals. The euthanasia of all ten experimental calves was performed on the 42nd day post-inoculation. Fragments were collected from each of all 10 abomasums for histopathological analysis. Discrete submandibular edema was diagnosed in animals from both infected groups (H. contortus or H. placei). However, there were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the color of the ocular mucosa of calves from all three experimental groups across the entire experimental period. Hematological and biochemical changes diagnosed on animals could not be linked to infections by species of Haemonchus spp. Regarding histopathological exams, it was possible to diagnose hypertrophy, hyperplasia, binucleated cells, inflammatory infiltrate, multifocal hemorrhage and edema in abomasums from calves of both groups infected with H. placei and H. contortus. It can, thus, be concluded that not only are calves susceptible to infections by both Haemonchus species, but they can also present clinical changes and similar anatomic histopathological lesions independent of being infected by Haemonchus placei or Haemonchus contortus. These results reflect a negative effect on helminth control by mixed grazing between sheep and cattle, especially when using calves.

Outbreak of H5N2 highly pathogenic avian Influenza A virus infection in two commercial layer facilities: lesions and viral antigen distribution.

The largest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian Influenza A virus (HPAIV) infection in U.S. history began in December 2014 resulting in the euthanasia of millions of birds and collateral economic consequences to the U.S. poultry industry. We describe 2 cases of H5N2 HPAIV infection in laying hens in Iowa. Following a sharp increase in mortality with minimal clinical signs, 15 dead birds, from 2 unrelated farms, were submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Common lesions included diffuse edema and multifocal hemorrhage of the comb, catarrhal exudate in the oropharynx, and multifocal tracheal hemorrhage. Less common lesions included epicardial petechiae, splenic hemorrhage, and pancreatic necrosis. Influenza A virus nucleoprotein was detected by immunohistochemistry in multiple cell types including ependymal cells, the choroid plexus, neurons, respiratory epithelium and macrophages in the lung, cardiac myocytes, endothelial cells, necrotic foci in the spleen, Kupffer cells in the liver, and necrotic acinar cells in the pancreas. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and sequencing confirmed H5N2 HPAIV with molecular characteristics similar to other contemporary U.S. H5N2 HPAIVs in both cases.

Myopathy of the Pipping Muscles, Hepatosis Dietetica, and Cataracts in Emu Chicks (Dromaius Novaehollandiae).

Seven emu chicks (Dromaius novaehollandiae) from a farm with poor hatchability (16-18%) and increased neonatal mortality were presented for necropsy with a history of death at or within a few days after hatching. Macroscopic examination revealed subcutaneous edema and hemorrhages and swelling of the pipping muscles in the proximal neck (71%), pale liver with hemorrhages (71%), noninternalized residual yolk sac (86%) and anasarca (14%). Histologically, the most remarkable findings were necrosis of the musculus complexus (100%) of the pipping muscles, as well as myocardial necrosis and mineralization (29%). Liver contained severe multifocal hepatocellular necrosis and hemorrhages (57%), and both eyes exhibited swollen and vacuolated lenticular fibers in 5 chicks (100%) in which the eyes were examined. The lesions observed here are suggestive of a nutritional deficiency. The deficiency was confirmed by finding low levels of vitamin E in the liver, and vitamin E and vitamin A levels in the feed.

Atraumatic multifocal intracerebral hemorrhage

This article describes a patient with atraumatic multifocal intracerebral, subarachnoid, and bilateral frontal convexity acute subdural hematomas. The patient is a 46-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a spontaneous severe progressive headache. Following a description of the case, this article reviews the reported incidence, proposed etiology, and current management strategies for multifocal spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Short-term effect of pulsed direct current on various species of adult fish and its implication in pulse trawling for brown shrimp in the North Sea

Electric pulses in fishing gear are increasingly used in the North Sea and are considered a promising alternative to ameliorate the sustainability of demersal trawl fisheries. The electrotrawl for brown shrimp employing low frequency pulsed direct current (PDC) selectively induces a startle response in shrimp engendering decreased environmental impact and reduced by-catch. Prior to commercially introducing this fishing technique, data on its impact on marine organisms are crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of this pulse used for electrotrawling for brown shrimp on five marine fish species inhabiting shrimp fishery areas. For this purpose, 25 European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), 30 Dover sole (Solea solea), 20 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), 19 bull-rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius) and 20 armed bullhead (Agonus cataphractus) were exposed to the shrimp pulse for 5s. Before, during and till 20min following exposure, the behaviour of the fish was monitored. Twenty-four hours post-exposure, all fish were sacrificed, inspected and samples for histological analysis were taken from the gills, dorsal muscle and internal organs. To investigate possible spinal injuries radiographs were taken. Behavioural responses were variable and species dependant. Roundfish species, cod in particular, were displaying more active and agitated fast swimming activity during exposure. The majority of flatfish showed only minor reactions and remained close to the bottom throughout the observation period. However, 15% of the exposed sole actively swam upwards during exposure. Mild multifocal petechial haemorrhages and suffusion, encountered mainly in plaice and sole, were not significantly different between exposed and control groups. Upon histological examination, in two exposed plaice, a focal small haemorrhage between muscle fibres was found, which was not encountered in control animals. In addition, the number of melanomacrophage centres in the spleen of exposed cod was significantly higher than in the non-exposed animals. In conclusion, under the circumstances as adopted in this study, the electrical field seemed to have only limited immediate impact on the exposed animals.

Superficial vein thrombosis with hemorrhagic cerebral infarction

Background Cerebral superficial vein thrombosis was rare and often misdiagnosed or missed for its various etiological factors, and complicated and nonspecific clinical manifestations. This paper reported one case of superficial vein thrombosis in right fronto-parietal lobe with hemorrhagic infarction. The anatomy of superficial vein, pathophysiological points, diagnosis and treatment of superficial vein thrombosis were reviewed to help to reduce missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Methods and Results A 18-year-old male patient had suffered from progressive headache for 4 years and weakness of left limbs for 2 d. Head MRI showed circular space-occupying lesion in right fronto-parietal lobe. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) examination showed the front two-thirds of the superior sagittal sinus was not clear. The lesions were removed and decompressive craniectomy was conducted, showing the brain tissue was pale, partly yellow or dark red, and superficial venous engorgement. Histological observation showed pial superficial vein thrombosis and subpial encephalomalacia, and multifocal hemorrhage of cerebral cortex and local parenchymal hemorrhage. A large number of "grid cells" and vascular "cuff" phenomenan were visible in surrounding tissue, and the parenchymal blood vessel proliferation was obvious. Left hand activity of the patient was obviously limited after the operation. Conclusions Clinical diagnosis of superficial vein thrombosis with hemorrhagic infarction is difficult, and brain imaging and serological examination can provide certain help. Much attention should be paid to the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment to reduce misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, and gather clinical experience. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2016.01.007

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism Associated with the Extrusion of the Intervertebral Disc in a Dog

Background: Intervertebral disc disease is a usual neurological disorder in dogs, which the spinal cord is compressed by intervertebral disc extrusion or protrusion. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy isan acute infarction disease of spinal cord caused by fibrocartilaginous emboli histologically identical to the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs. The aim of this report is present two cases of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in dogs with intervertebral disc disease.Cases: Two dogs - dachshund breed - were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the UFSM. In the first case, the dog was three years old and the owner described complete inability to move the pelvic limbs. The neurological examination revealed paraplegia, postural reactions deficits, normal spinal reflexes and muscle tonus in the hind limbs, pain on palpation in T12-T11 region and loss of deep pain in hind limbs. In the other case, the dog was seven years old and the owner described partial inability to move four limbs. The neurological examination revealed non-ambulatory tetraparesis, postural reactions deficit, normal spinal reflexes in four limbs and pain on palpation in cervical spine. In both cases, the presumptive diagnosis was intervertebral disc disease and surgical treatment was indicated. The dog with thoracolumbar injury died during the anesthesia and the dog with cervical injury was euthanized, after decision of owner. During the necropsy was observed intervertebral disc extrusion between L1-L2 vertebrae in a dog and between C3-C4 vertebrae in the other case with cartilaginous fragments in the spinal canal. Histopathology revealed marked diffuse necrosis with multifocal hemorrhage and cartilaginous emboli.Discussion: Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy is commonly reported in large and giant breed dogs, though also occur in small and medium-sized breeds of dogs. One hypothesis is the pulpous nucleus remains soft for a longer period in large breed dogs, empowering to infiltration in the spinal cord vessels. The intervertebral disc extrusion occurs predominantly in dogs with age between three and six years old, in the cervical, thoracolumbar (T11-L3) and lumbar regions. Chondroid or fibroid degeneration of the intervertebral disc is the most common cause of spinal cord compression in small animals. In chondrodistrophic breed dogs is frequently chondroid degeneration, which the nucleus pulposus moves into the spinal canal through rupture of the annulus fibrosus (extrusion or Hansen type I), causing acute spinal cord compression. The prevalence of fibrocartilaginous embolism in adult and old dogs increase the possibility of predisposing factors, facilitating the injection intravascular of nucleus pulposus material. One of the most accepted theories about the mechanism of fibrocartilaginous emboli into the vessels is due to increase of inside discal pressure and liberation of fibrocartilaginous emboli from nucleus pulposus into the vertebral artery for retrograde flow, reaching the spinal cord by blood flow. The simultaneous occurrence of intervertebral disc disease and the infarction of spinal cord in the proximate region accentuate the hypothesis that the etiology of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy is mechanical into the vessels of the spinal cord.Keywords: neurology, spinal cord, intervertebral disc disease, dogs.

Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia - correlation between clinical symptoms, hematological parameters and lifespan.

To compare the hematological parameters and clinical symptoms between Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia (BNP) diseased calves dying before and after 14days of life. Clinical observations included 47 calves from dams which underwent a 3-year vaccination program with the inactivated PregSure® BVD vaccine. In 25 of these 47 BNP affected calves blood examinations were performed and in 22 dead calves diagnosis was mainly based on post-mortem findings. Cutaneous bleeding was the predominant clinical manifestation in 32 from 47 calves (68.1%). Seven from 47 calves (14.9%) developed cutaneous bleeding as the only symptom and 17 from 47 calves (36.2%) demonstrated these alterations in combination with hemorrhagic lesions of the oral mucosa. In 66.0% (31/47) of calves petechiae of the oral mucosa were seen and petechiation without any other BNP related symptoms occurred in eight from 47 calves (17.0%). The hematological analysis revealed thrombocytopenia in all 25 cases (n=23: PLT <60x109/l, n=2: PLT 139-164x109/l). Nineteen from 25 calves (76.0%) developed thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia (WBC <3.5x109/l). In nine of them a decrease of erythrocyte count (RBC <4.5x109/l), hemoglobin concentration (Hb <8g/dl) and packed cell volume (PCV <24%) was measured. Three BNP affected calves without clinical symptoms were identified by hematological examination. The average life time of BNP affected calves was 14.7±6.2days. Clinical findings, especially multifocal cutaneous hemorrhages were more frequently recognized in calves living longer than 14days. At the time of falling ill with BNP, older calves displayed more numerous symptoms, especially bleeding in the skin. Thrombocytopenia and erythropenia occur as well as a decreased hemoglobin concentration and a low PCV. The time between outbreak of symptoms and death of calves which fell ill later, did not differ from the survival time of BNP calves, which displayed symptoms at a younger age. A decrease of thrombocytes was the cardinal laboratory finding.

A Case of Acute Retinal Necrosis in Healthy Childhood

Purpose: To describe a case of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) in childhood. Case summary: A 6-year-old child visited our clinic complaining of conjunctival injection and decreased visual acuity in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination showed conjunctival injection, inflammatory cells (4+) in the anterior chamber, and keratic precipitates. Fundus examination showed disc swelling. The patient was treated with 30 mg of oral prednisolone and 1% prednisolone acetate with the suspicion of uveitis. After 2 days, retinal examination showed a peripheral multifocal yellowish patch and retinal hemorrhage. Herpes simplex virus-2 was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the aqueous humor, which was obtained by anterior chamber paracentesis. In the present case, ARN in childhood was successfully treated with intravenous acyclovir. Conclusions: We report a case of ARN in childhood diagnosed using PCR. Intravenous acyclovir may be an effective therapy in children with ARN. Ophthalmologists should promptly perform PCR analysis in patients diagnosed with ARN. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2016;57(1):125-129