title: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic chordoma in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).
abstract: A Bengal tiger was presented for evaluation of weakness, ataxia and inappetance. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass extending from the T7-8 vertebral body to the left rib and compressing the spinal cord. On CT, the bone destruction and sequestrum were shown. On MRI, the multilobulated mass appeared hypo- to isointense in T1-weighted and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. The tiger died after imaging, most likely from renal failure. Chordoma without metastasis was diagnosed on necropsy. The imaging characteristics were similar to those found in chordoma in humans. This report describes the use of CT and MRI in an exotic species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iseri
authors.forename: Junichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akiyoshi
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kusuda
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Keiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mie
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Izawa
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuwamura
authors.forename: Jyoji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamate
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Fumihito
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ohashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046010:Tigers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary