Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly

Abstract

Objective: To describe the surgical correction of a closed meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly.

Study design: Case report.

Animal: One thoroughbred filly, 1.5 months old at the time of surgery.

Methods: A meningoencephalocele was identified at birth and diagnosed with radiography and MRI. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, the dura was closed, and the defect in the skull was corrected with a titanium mesh.

Results: Histopathology confirmed the presence of neural parenchyma consisting of neurons and glial cells. The filly remained without neurologic deficits 7 months after surgery.

Conclusion: Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele was performed and considered successful, with no long-term neurologic deficits postoperatively.

Clinical significance: Given the paucity of neural tube defect cases in the equine population, no surgical corrective techniques have been reported in the literature. This Case Report describes the first successful surgical treatment of a meningoencephalocele in a horse.