title: Hepatic encephalomyelopathy in a calf with congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS).
abstract: A 4-month-old female Holstein Friesian calf was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Berne, Switzerland for evaluation of ataxia, weakness, apathy and stunted growth. Clinical examination revealed generalized ataxia, propioceptive deficits, decreased menace response and sensibility. Postmortem examination did not reveal macroscopic changes of major organs. Histologically, the brain and the spinal cord lesions were characterized by polymicrocavitation, preferentially affecting the white matter fibers at the junction of grey and white matter and by the presence of Alzheimer type II cells. The liver revealed lesions consistent with a congenital portosystemic shunt, characterized by increased numbers of arteriolar profiles and hypoplasia to absence of portal veins. The pathological investigations along with the animal history and clinical signs indicated a hepatic encephalomyelopathy due to a congenital portosystemic shunt.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Laenggassstr. 122, CH-3001 Berne, Switzerland. valeria.cafemarcal@itpa.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Valéria Café
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Marçal
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oevermann
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bley
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miclard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000151:congenital*; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D011168:Portal System / Q000002:abnormalities*