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.
Steinberg
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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
Peek
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Nelson
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KM
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*