Management of multiple intracranial granular cell tumors in a golden retiever

Abstract

A 9-year-old, neutered female Golden Retriever was presented with generalized seizures, abnormal mentation and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed five separated masses at the left dorsal meninges, caudodorsal cerebellum, right cerebral cortex, olfactory lobe and right occipital lobe. Right rostrotentorial craniectomy was performed to debulk the tumor at the right cerebral cortex. On the basis of histopathological evaluation, the mass was diagnosed as GCTs. Immunohistochemistry of the mass demonstrated immunopositivity for vimentin and immunonegativity for GFAP, NSE, Desmin, S-100, CK14, CK8/18, CK19, and Ki67. Postoperative neurological deficits were resolved, but six months later neurological signs recurred with higher frequency of seizures and more severe ataxia than previously noted. This time suboccipital craniectomy was performed to remove the mass at the caudodorsal cerebellum. Histopathological evaluation of the mass confirmed GCTs. The dog did not survive and died unexpectedly during recovery period after the second operation.