Calvarial hyperostosis presenting as unilateral exophthalmos in a female English Springer Spaniel

Calvarial hyperostosis syndrome in a Dalmatian dog

Key Clinical Message

Calvarial hyperostosis syndrome is an uncommon and self-limiting disease affecting juvenile dogs. Only symptomatic treatment has been described, and diagnosis is based on clinical findings, imaging, and disease progression.

Abstract

This is the first reported case of calvarial hyperostosis syndrome in a Dalmatian dog. It is an uncommon osteoproliferative disease with diagnosis frequently based on clinical signs, imaging findings, and disease progression, with only symptomatic treatment described. Case describes a 5-month-old Dalmatian dog presented with a facial mass and difficulty eating. After imaging, mass was observed to be osteoproliferative, nonaggressive, and without affection of the temporomandibular joints and mandibles. Histology revealed an osseous-cartilaginous and proliferative lesion, together with scant amount of neutrophiles. Clinical improvement was observed after symptomatic treatment, and moderate lesion regression was observed in a CT reevaluation 6 months later.

Management of Dental and Oral Developmental Conditions in Dogs and Cats

Developmental dental and oral disorders are present in juvenile patients less than 12 months of age. The conditions are diverse ranging from cosmetic only to requiring advanced surgical intervention to alleviate pain and secondary complications. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of dental abnormalities including abnormalities in the number, structure, size, and shape of teeth, as well as oral abnormalities including malocclusions, congenital cleft lip and palate, developmental abnormalities resulting in bony proliferation, and soft-tissue abnormalities of the lip and tongue are discussed throughout the article.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF CRANIOMANDIBULAR OSTEOPATHY IN AN AIREDALE TERRIER

An Airedale Terrier was presented for evaluation of depression and reluctance to be touched on the head. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head was performed. The images revealed bone lesions affecting the calvarium at the level of the coronal suture and left mandibular ramus, with focal cortical destruction, expansion, and reactive new bone formation. Skull lesions were hypointense on T1-weighted sequences, hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences, and showed an intense and homogeneous enhancement after gadolinium administration. Reactive new bone formation and periosteal proliferation were confirmed histopathologically. The clinical signs, imaging findings, and histopathological examination were consistent with craniomandibular osteopathy.

Management of Orbital Diseases

Orbital diseases are common in dogs and cats and can present on emergency due to the acute onset of many of these issues. The difficulty with diagnosis and therapy of orbital disease is that the location of the problem is not readily visible. The focus of this article is on recognizing classical clinical presentations of orbital disease, which are typically exophthalmos, strabismus, enophthalmos, proptosis, or intraconal swelling. After the orbital disease is confirmed, certain characteristics such as pain on opening the mouth, acute vs. chronic swelling, and involvement of nearby structures can be helpful in determining the underlying cause. Abscesses, cellulitis, sialoceles, neoplasia (primary or secondary), foreign bodies, and immune-mediated diseases can all lead to exophthalmos, but it can be difficult to determine the cause of disease without advanced diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography scan. Fine-needle aspirates and biopsies of the retrobulbar space can also be performed.