Investigation of Clinical, Clinicopathological, MRI Findings, Treatment and Outcome in 14 Dogs with Idiopathic Eosinophilic Meningoencephalomyelitis (2009-2017)

Liatis, T. , Monti, P., Taeymans, O. and Cherubini, G. B. (2018) Investigation of Clinical, Clinicopathological, MRI Findings, Treatment and Outcome in 14 Dogs with Idiopathic Eosinophilic Meningoencephalomyelitis (2009-2017). 31st Annual Symposium of the European Society of Veterinary Neurology, Copenhagen, Denmark, 20-22 Sep 2018.

Abstract

This is a retrospective study of 14 dogs with EME during 2009-2017. Inclusion criteria consisted of cases with full records (including MRI), CSF eosinophilic pleocytosis and negative infectious tests. Fourteen dogs were included; males (10/14), females (4/14); small (7/14), medium (4/14), large (3/14) breeds. Median age was 3.7 years (range 0.5 – 12 years). Depression (7/14) and ataxia (5/14) were the main presenting complaints. Neurological examination revealed spinal hyperaesthesia (7/14), ataxia (7/14), cranial nerve (6/14) and proprioceptive (5/14) deficits. Neuroanatomical localisation was multifocal/diffuse (7/14), forebrain (4/14), facial & vestibulocochlear nerves (1/14), T3-L3 (1/14), L4-S3 (1/14). Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 4/14. MRI revealed ill-defined patchy T2 hyperintensities in: forebrain (6/14) and L4-L5 (1/14). These hyperintensities did not suppress on T2 FLAIR in: forebrain (4/14) and meninges (2/14). Contrast enhancement was present in: meninges (6/14), temporal muscle (1/14), facial/vestibulocochlear nerve (1/14). MRI was considered negative in 3/14. Treatment was based on dexamethasone: as monotherapy (2/14), in association with CCNU (2/14), Cytarabine (2/14), Ciclosporin and CCNU (2/14), Ciclosporine and Cytarabine (2/14), Cytarabine and CCNU (1/14); and Prednisolone and Cytarabine was used in (3/14). Antiepileptics were administered in 2/14. All dogs survived on discharge and 11/14 at least one year after initial treatment. IEME varies in clinical manifestations, with a variety of MRI findings. IEME can have shorttermed positive response to combination of steroids and chemotherapy treatment.

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