Delayed Forebrain Syndrome Due to Traumatic Frontoethmoidal Meningoencephalocele in a Cat

Liatis, T. , De Stefani, A., Mantis, P. and Cherubini, G. B. (2019) Delayed Forebrain Syndrome Due to Traumatic Frontoethmoidal Meningoencephalocele in a Cat. BSAVA Congress 2019, Birmingham, UK, 4-7 Apr 2019. p. 541. ISBN 9781910443682

Abstract

Meningoencephalocele is a protrusion of meninges and brain through an opening in the cranium; in humans it may be congenital, traumatic, neoplastic or idiopathic, whilst in small animals only congenital form has been reported. A 3-year-old, client-owned, neutered male DSH cat was referred with one-month history of three generalized tonic-clonic seizures and intermittent left thoracic limb spontaneous knuckling. Nine months ago, the animal had been bitten on the head by a wild carnivore. Prior to the traumatic event the cat was reported to be neurologically normal. On admission, physical examination was unremarkable. Neurological examination revealed left hemi-neglect syndrome, characterised by decreased postural reactions on the left thoracic and pelvic limb, and absent menace bilaterally, most likely post-ictal. Neuroanatomical localisation was right forebrain. Haematology, biochemistry and bile acid stimulation test were unremarkable. Blood serology for Toxoplasma gondii, FIV, FeLV and FCoV were all negative. MRI of the head revealed protrusion of brain and meninges into the right frontal sinus, mild meningeal contrast uptake of the protruding tissue and the adjacent brain in the calvarium. CSF analysis was unremarkable. Final diagnosis was traumatic frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele with late-onset forebrain syndrome due to presumptive post-traumatic encephalomalacia. The cat remained seizure-free on the four-month follow-up. This is the first report of traumatic meningoencephalocele in small animals. The finding in this case emphasizes the importance of a complete neurological investigation in patients with history of head trauma despite the absence of initial neurological signs. Differentials for delayed neurological signs after traumatic meningoencephalocele include encephalomalacia, recurrent meningitis with/without CSF rhinorrhea or cerebral ischaemic infarction.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Additional Information: Poster Abstract.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Liatis, Dr Theophanes
• Authors: Liatis, T., De Stefani, A., Mantis, P., and Cherubini, G. B.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• ISBN: 9781910443682