title: Clinical Features, Imaging Characteristics, and Long-term Outcome of Dogs with Cranial Meningocele or Meningoencephalocele.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term meningoencephalocele (MEC) describes a herniation of cerebral tissue and meninges through a defect in the cranium, whereas a meningocele (MC) is a herniation of the meninges alone.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with cranial MC and MEC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two client-owned dogs diagnosed with cranial MC or MEC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentric retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records of 13 institutions were reviewed. Signalment, clinical history, neurologic findings and MRI characteristics as well as treatment and outcome were recorded and evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most affected dogs were presented at a young age (median, 6.5 months; range, 1 month - 8 years). The most common presenting complaints were seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Intranasal MEC was more common than parietal MC. Magnetic resonance imaging identified meningeal enhancement of the protruded tissue in 77% of the cases. Porencephaly was seen in all cases with parietal MC. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis identified mild abnormalities in 4 of 11 cases. Surgery was not performed in any affected dog. Seventeen patients were treated medically, and seizures were adequately controlled with anti-epileptic drugs in 10 dogs. Dogs with intranasal MEC and mild neurologic signs had a fair prognosis with medical treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although uncommon, MC and MEC should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs presenting with seizures or alterations in behavior. Medical treatment is a valid option with a fair prognosis when the neurologic signs are mild.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lazzerini
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Quintana
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: José-López
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McConnell
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: PetMedics, Worsley, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMurrough
authors.affiliation: Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Decker
authors.affiliation: Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.affiliation: Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Priestnall
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mari
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stabile
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Risio
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loeffler
authors.affiliation: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Eashing, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tauro
authors.affiliation: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Eashing, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rusbridge
authors.affiliation: Hospital Veterinario Valencia Sur, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodenas
authors.affiliation: Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Añor
authors.affiliation: Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de la Fuente
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Munchen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Munchen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruehschwein
authors.affiliation: Vet Extra Neurology, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital, Stirling, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penderis
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guevar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008588:Meningocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D065708:Porencephaly / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Cerebral malformation; Cranioschisis; Porencephaly; Seizures