Case Study

RADS – Malignant Osteolytic Vertebral Lesion with Pathological Fracture in a 10 year old MN Cat

History of acute paralysis hind end.

Physical Exam: Unable to stand, dragging hind end, unexpressable bladder, T=101.5.

History of acute paralysis hind end.

Physical Exam: Unable to stand, dragging hind end, unexpressable bladder, T=101.5.

Image Interpretation

lateral and VD lumbar and thoracolumbar spine, mediolateral right hind – There were permeative osteolytic lesions and amorphous periosteal reactions associated with the vertebral body and right transverse process of L5. An triangular shaped bone fragment was isolated from the left cranial aspect L5 which presented mild cranial and medial dislocation. The intervertebral disc space of L4/5 was moderately collapsed. The rightsided transverse process presented discontinuity and mild cranial and medial displacement.

DX

A monostotic aggressive osteolytic lesion within the 5th lumbar vertebra compatible with malignant neoplasia such as osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, lymphosarcoma or other is present. Moreover a pathological fracture of the vertebral body, cranial vertebral endplate and transverse process was noted which explains the acute clinical presentation.