Cerebral coenurosis in a cat caused by Taenia serialis: neurological, magnetic resonance imaging and pathological features

• Published in: Journal of feline medicine and surgery 2012-09, Vol.14 (9), p.646-649
• Main Authors: Jull, Philip, Browne, Elizabeth, Boufana, Belgees S, Schöniger, Sandra, Davies, Emma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Brain Diseases - diagnosis; Brain Diseases - parasitology; Brain Diseases - veterinary; Case Reports; Cat Diseases - diagnosis; Cat Diseases - parasitology; Cats; Cestode Infections - diagnosis; Cestode Infections - parasitology; Cestode Infections - veterinary; Female; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - veterinary; Rare Diseases - diagnosis; Rare Diseases - parasitology; Rare Diseases - veterinary; Taenia - classification; Taenia - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 1098-612X; 1532-2750; 1532-2750
• DOI: 10.1177/1098612X12458211

Clinical summary: A 4-year-old Birman cat was presented with marked obtundation and non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Two well-demarcated, intra-axial T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense structures, which did not contrast enhance, were evident on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathology of the structures revealed metacestodes that were morphologically indicative of larval stages of Taenia species. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment within the 12S rRNA gene confirmed the subspecies as Taenia serialis. Practical significance: This is the first report of MRI findings of cerebral coenurosis caused by T serialis in a cat. Early MRI should be considered an important part of the diagnostic work-up for this rare clinical disease, as it will help guide subsequent treatment and may improve the prognosis.