DIAGNÓSTICO PRESUNTIVO DE GLIOMA EM CÃO DA RAÇA BULLDOG FRANCÊS: RELATO DE CASO

Abstract

Intracranial neoplasms encompass a range of benign and malignant tumors arising from the brain parenchyma and its adjacent structures. These neoformations are important causes of morbidity and mortality in companion animals, especially dogs. Glioma is the second most common primary intracranial tumor in dogs and is highly prevalent in brachycephalic breeds. The acquisition of representative samples of brain tissue that allow the performance of a histopathological examination, aiming at a definitive diagnosis, remains essential to guide the best clinical management in relation to the selection of the appropriate treatment for patients with brain neoformations. This study aims to report a case suggestive of glioma in a French bulldog, highlighting the challenge in relation to the definitive diagnosis of intracranial neoformations in small animals. In 2021, a spayed female French bulldog breed, seven years old, weighing 12.9 kg, was attended at a private veterinary clinic in the city of Goiânia - GO, in which the owner's main complaint was that the animal had two tonic-clonic seizures. In the neurological evaluation, the animal showed changes in nasal sensitivity on the left side, reduced reflex, postural reactions of hopping and paw positioning were reduced in both thoracic and pelvic limbs. In addition to the presence of cervical and tail spinal hyperpathy. Phenobarbital 25 mg (1.9 mg/kg, PO, BID) was initially prescribed with quarterly serum levels. Cranioencephalic and cervical resonance exams, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection for physical-chemical analysis, canine infective PCR panel and qualitative PCR distemper were requested. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report showed intra-axial formation, and the main differential diagnosis includes an intra-axial neoplastic process such as glioma. Given the current limitations of diagnostic imaging, the acquisition of representative brain tissue samples is the only way to obtain a definitive antemortem diagnosis, and remains essential to inform best clinical practices regarding treatment selection for patients with brain neoformations.