J Vet Sci.  2008 Jun;9(2):215-217. 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.2.215.

Cerebellar vermian hypoplasia in a Cocker Spaniel

• Lim JH
• Kim DY
• Yoon JH
• Kim WH
• Kweon OK

• KMID: 1106240
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2008.9.2.215

Abstract

An eight-week-old female Cocker Spaniel was presented with ataxia, dysmetria and intention tremor. At 16 weeks, the clinical signs did not progress. Investigation including imaging studies of the skull and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were performed. The computed tomography revealed a cyst-like dilation at the level of the fourth ventricle associated with vermal defect in the cerebellum. After euthanasia, a cerebellar hypoplasia with vermal defect was identified on necropsy. A polymerase chain reaction amplification of cerebellar tissue revealed the absence of an in utero parvoviral infection. Therefore, the cerebellar hypoplasia in this puppy was consistent with diagnosis of primary cerebellar malformation comparable to Dandy-Walker syndrome in humans.

Keyword

cerebellar hypoplasia; dog; vermian defect

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cerebellar Diseases/radiography/*veterinary
Cerebellum/*radiography
Dog Diseases/*radiography
Dogs
Female
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/veterinary

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Computed tomographs revealed cyst-like dilation of the fourth ventricle and the radiolucent regions (arrow) in the cerebellar structure without herniation of cerebellum.

• 

  Fig. 2 The cerebellum without cerebellar vermis (arrow).

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  Fig. 3 Multifocal folial atrophy (arrows). H&E stain, ×12.5.

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