title: Toxoplasma gondii brain granuloma in a cat: diagnosis using cytology from an intraoperative sample and sequential magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: A cat with a history of seizures and clinical suspicion of forebrain disorder underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging. A space-occupying lesion was identified in the left temporal lobe. The mass was surgically removed, and cytological, histological and immunohistochemical examinations documented the presence of Toxoplasma gondii. A definitive diagnosis of an intracranial T gondii granuloma was made. The cat was treated with clindamycin and phenobarbital and the seizures did not recur. After 10 months, a second magnetic resonance imaging showed severe brain atrophy, but T gondii granuloma recurrence was not noted. Twenty-one months after surgery, the cat's condition deteriorated, and another magnetic resonance imaging showed a presumptive recurrence of T gondii granuloma. In cats, T gondii granuloma must be considered as a differential diagnosis even when only a single intracranial mass is present. Cytology and magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in making a definitive diagnosis and to follow the evolution of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Valdinievole Veterinary Clinic, 51015 Monsummano Terme (PT), Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falzone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Lorenzi
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mandara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*