title: Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in five cats.
abstract: Five cats had clinical signs, radiographic findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analyses consistent with fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy. All cats had an acute onset of nonpainful, asymmetrical spinal cord signs (paresis or paralysis of one or more limbs). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in three cats. On T2-weighted images, an intramedullary lesion was revealed that was hyperintense to normal spinal cord gray matter. On T1-weighted images, the lesion was isointense. Three of the cats were euthanized, and postmortem examination confirmed myelomalacia with intralesional fibrocartilaginous emboli. Two cats survived and were clinically improved within 3 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mikszewski
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Van Winkle
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Troxel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome