External hydrocephalus in two cats.
External hydrocephalus describes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the cerebral hemispheres and the overlying arachnoid membrane, rather than within the lateral ventricles. Two young cats with encephalopathic signs were diagnosed with external hydrocephalus, one via magnetic resonance imaging and one via computed tomography. Both cats had abnormally large, broad heads, with no evidence of open fontanelles. A surgical shunt was placed in each cat to divert the accumulated CSF within the cranial cavity to the peritoneal space. Both cats improved dramatically soon after surgical shunting was performed, and they continue to do well clinically, approximately 42 months and 8 months postoperatively, respectively.
Dewey
Curtis W
CW
Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, New York 11803, USA.
Coates
Joan R
JR
Ducoté
Julie M
JM
Stefanacci
Joseph D
JD
Walker
Michael A
MA
Marino
Dominic J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome