title: Clinical and topographic magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of suspected thalamic infarcts in 16 dogs.
abstract: Sixteen dogs with acute-onset, non-progressive signs of brain dysfunction and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics compatible with thalamic infarction are described. Topographically the MRI lesions could be grouped in three thalamic regions, namely, paramedian (8/16), extensive dorsal (5/16) and ventrolateral (3/16). Paramedian lesions resulted in signs typical of vestibular dysfunction. Extensive dorsal lesions were associated with vestibular ataxia, circling and contralateral menace response deficits. Ventrolateral lesions resulted in circling and contralateral proprioceptive deficits. In several dogs, regions other than the thalamus were also affected: four extended into the midbrain; six extended to the internal capsule, and two dogs had a second lesion in the cerebellum. Three clinical syndromes were identified in association with thalamic infarction. These signs varied somewhat, most likely because lesions were not confined to specific nuclear boundaries and involved different combinations of thalamic nuclei.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK. r.goncalves@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garosi
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fraser McConnell
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penderis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013788:Thalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology