Toxoplasma gondii brain granuloma in a cat: diagnosis using cytology from an intraoperative sample and sequential magnetic resonance imaging

J Small Anim Pract. 2008 Feb;49(2):95-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2007.00421.x. Epub 2007 Sep 3.

Abstract

A cat with a history of seizures and clinical suspicion of forebrain disorder underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging. A space-occupying lesion was identified in the left temporal lobe. The mass was surgically removed, and cytological, histological and immunohistochemical examinations documented the presence of Toxoplasma gondii. A definitive diagnosis of an intracranial T gondii granuloma was made. The cat was treated with clindamycin and phenobarbital and the seizures did not recur. After 10 months, a second magnetic resonance imaging showed severe brain atrophy, but T gondii granuloma recurrence was not noted. Twenty-one months after surgery, the cat's condition deteriorated, and another magnetic resonance imaging showed a presumptive recurrence of T gondii granuloma. In cats, T gondii granuloma must be considered as a differential diagnosis even when only a single intracranial mass is present. Cytology and magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in making a definitive diagnosis and to follow the evolution of the lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology
  • Cats
  • Clindamycin / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Granuloma / diagnosis
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Granuloma / parasitology
  • Granuloma / veterinary*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Male
  • Phenobarbital / therapeutic use
  • Recurrence
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / parasitology
  • Seizures / veterinary
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / drug therapy
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / diagnosis
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / drug therapy
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / parasitology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / veterinary*

Substances

  • Clindamycin
  • Phenobarbital