Intracranial squamous cell carcinoma causing Horner's syndrome in a cow

Bovine intracranial neoplasia: A retrospective case series

This case series describes the clinical and pathological findings of intracranial neoplasms in cattle, a rare entity. Data and archived tissues from 24 intracranial tumors were reviewed and investigated by immunohistochemistry for S100, glial fibrillary acidic protein, synaptophysin, pancytokeratin, vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1. Ages of affected cattle ranged from 6 months to 14 years (5.7 ± 3.6 years; mean ± SD). Predominant clinical signs were altered mental state, central vestibular dysfunction, and cerebellar incoordination. Twelve gliomas, all high grade, were the most common tumors observed: oligodendrogliomas (n = 6), astrocytomas (n = 4), and undefined gliomas (n = 2). The oligodendrogliomas were located in the brainstem and extended into the ventricles, whereas all astrocytomas were located in the forebrain. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene mutation as described in humans was not detected. The 5 meningiomas exhibited microcystic, chordoid, atypical, papillary, and anaplastic subtypes. Metastatic carcinomas (n = 4) were the only secondary tumor type present, and these were located at the level of the medulla with infiltration of cranial nerves and in one case leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. In addition, 2 medulloblastomas and 1 choroid plexus carcinoma were diagnosed. Immunohistochemistry for vimentin and pancytokeratin was particularly useful to distinguish meningiomas and choroid plexus carcinoma (positive for vimentin only) from mestastatic carcinomas (positive for cytokeratin only) as all showed a papillary growth pattern. Overall, the morphological features were comparable with other species and the human and canine classifications could be applied.

Thymic lymphosarcoma with brain involvement in a Holstein heifer

An 8-month-old Holstein heifer with cervical enlargement was suspected of thymic lymphosarcoma given clinical signs of depression, tendency to lie down, cervical mass, jugular vein distension, conjunctival hyperemia, and ruminal tympany. Unilateral Horner's syndrome was also observed. Increased serum total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH isozyme (LDH-2, and LDH-3) and serum thymidine kinase activity were observed. The findings of fine needle aspiration cytology of the cervical mass revealed large lymphoblasts with mitoses present. These findings strongly suggested the diagnosis of lymphosarcoma. Necropsy revealed a large mass in the cervical thymic region, which compressed the esophagus and trachea. Cranial masses in the frontal sinus and multiple extradural sites throughout the cranial vault were also recorded. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of thymic lymphosarcoma and demonstrated the brain involvement of neoplastic lymphoid cells in the cerebrum. This is a rare clinical case of thymic lymphosarcoma accompanied by brain metastasis in a Holstein heifer.