Complex central nervous system malformations in a Dutch Warmblood foal

A neonatal Dutch Warmblood colt was evaluated for inability to stand, incoordination and intention tremor. Despite partial improvement in clinical signs during the first 4 days of hospitalization, neurological deficits remained. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a unilateral infratentorial arach...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of veterinary internal medicine 2022-05, Vol.36 (3), p.1173-1178
Main Authors: Louie, Elizabeth Williams, Streeter, Ron, Story, Melinda, Scrivani, Peter V., Barrett, Myra, Mullen, Kathleen R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Antibiotics
Case Report
cerebellum
cerebrum
congenital neurological anomaly
Convulsions & seizures
craniocervical junction
Cysts
EQUINE
Laboratories
Magnetic resonance imaging
Nervous system
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Summary:A neonatal Dutch Warmblood colt was evaluated for inability to stand, incoordination and intention tremor. Despite partial improvement in clinical signs during the first 4 days of hospitalization, neurological deficits remained. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a unilateral infratentorial arachnoid cyst‐like lesion with ipsilateral compression and displacement of the cerebellar hemisphere, absent corpus collosum, polymicrogyria, suspect leukoencephalopathy, and noncompressive occipitoatlantal malformation. Improvement in clinical signs during the first 6 months of life suggests that horses can survive with complex congenital neurological malformations, but prognosis for athletic performance is poor. The accessibility of magnetic resonance imaging should improve the diagnostic accuracy of central nervous system disorders in neonatal foals in which congenital malformations are suspected. Euthanasia often is elected in foals with suspected congenital central nervous system disorders because of poor prognosis for athletic performance, limiting understanding of clinical progression in these cases.
ISSN:0891-6640
1939-1676
DOI:10.1111/jvim.16407