Work

Case Report: Clinical and MRI features of hemorrhagic transformation of an ischemic cerebrovascular accident in a dog

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a known complication of human ischemic cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), resulting from blood-brain barrier disruption and reperfusion. This report describes the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of a clinically suspected HT after ischemic CVA in a dog. Case presentation: An eight-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog presented with peracute onset of left-sided forebrain clinical signs. A brain MRI, performed within 12 h from the onset of clinical signs, revealed a large area of restricted diffusion, almost undetectable in the other MRI sequences, encompassing the vascular territory of the left middle cerebral artery, suggesting a peracute ischemic CVA. In the subsequent 24 h, the dog showed severe clinical deterioration, suggesting brainstem involvement. A 40-h follow-up MRI revealed an extensive area of signal void on Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in the same vascular territory, with severe mass effect, indicating HT of the previous ischemic CVA. Discussion: Rapid and severe clinical deterioration in a dog previously diagnosed with ischemic CVA should raise suspicion of HT and warrant further MRI evaluation.

Source: Frontiers in Veterinary Science

DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1589636

Authors: Alessandro Bellomo, Chiara Mattei, Michele Capasso, Marco Bernardini, Federica Balducci

Institution: University of Padua

Language: English

Topic: Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology

Subfield: Small Animals

Field: Veterinary

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801