Cerebral coenurosis in a cat caused by Taenia serialis: neurological, magnetic resonance imaging and pathological features

Abstract

CLINICAL SUMMARY: A 4-year-old Birman cat was presented with marked obtundation and non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Two well-demarcated, intra-axial T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense structures, which did not contrast enhance, were evident on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathology of the structures revealed metacestodes that were morphologically indicative of larval stages of Taenia species. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment within the 12S rRNA gene confirmed the subspecies as Taenia serialis. PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report of MRI findings of cerebral coenurosis caused by T serialis in a cat. Early MRI should be considered an important part of the diagnostic work-up for this rare clinical disease, as it will help guide subsequent treatment and may improve the prognosis.

Figure 1

MRI of a Birman cat infected with the larval stage of Taenia serialis (Coenurus serialis). Sagittal and transverse T2-weighted (a,b), transverse FLAIR (c), transverse T1-weighted (d) and transverse T1-weighted post-contrast (e) images are shown. Two well-demarcated, focal, intra-axial lesions are noted which are T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense, suppress on FLAIR and show no gadolinium contrast enhancement

Figure 2

Cerebral coenurosis in a Birman cat. (a) There is an intraparenchymal cystic structure (black arrow) within the left cerebral cortex, resulting in compression of the right cerebral cortex and midbrain. Small multifocal whitish areas are observed on the inside of the cyst wall (white arrows). (b) Microscopic examination reveals that the cystic structure is formed by a metacestode characterised by an outer cuticle (rectangle) surrounding a parenchymatous body (asterisk); haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, x 10 magnification

Figure 3

Cerebral coenurosis in a Birman cat. (a) The inner surface of a large parasitic cyst within the left parietal lobe is multifocally roughened (arrows) corresponding to aggregations of invaginated protoscolices arranged in an approximately linear fashion. (b) Protoscolex (asterisk) showing the rostellum armed with chitinised hooks (arrows). Note the basophilic calcareous corpuscles (arrowheads) in the adjacent parenchyma. H&E stain, x 400 magnification