Neuroblastoma with neuronal differentiation in the spinal cord in an Aberdeen Angus heifer calf.
A 5-month-old, female, Aberdeen Angus heifer presented to the veterinary medical teaching hospital for evaluation of slowly progressive hindlimb ataxia. The calf was clinically normal until 4 months of age, following routine pregnancy and delivery. Neurologic examination revealed marked symmetric spastic hindlimb paraparesis. Thoracolumbar radiographs and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were unremarkable. A presumptive diagnosis of T3-L3 myelopathy was made, and neurologic status remained static for 3 months with broad-spectrum antibiotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy. Additional diagnostic tests were refused, and a necropsy was performed following euthanasia. A moderately well delineated, reddish-tan, soft mass 18 mm in diameter replaced 80% of the fourth lumbar spinal cord segment. Histologic examination revealed two distinct features: undifferentiated, primitive, polygonal-to-round cells with typical morphologic characteristics of primitive neuroectoderm; and interspersed areas containing myelinated axons and cells with neuronal differentiation. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed the presence of primitive neuroepithelium and cells with neuronal differentiation.
The Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1102, USA. steinbeh@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
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Steinberg
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Peek
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Nelson
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*