Granulomatous meningoencephalitis
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Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) of dogs and, rarely, cats. It is a form of meningoencephalitis. The disease is more common in female toy dogs of young and middle age. It has a rapid onset. The cause is only known to be noninfectious.
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[edit] Types of GME
- Ocular - This is an uncommon form of GME and is characterized by sudden blindness caused by optic neuritis. It eventually spreads to other parts of the CNS.
- Focal - The disease presents as a granuloma, which mimics a tumor. It usually is found in the cerebrum or cerebellopontine angle.[1]
- Disseminated - This is a diffuse disease throughout the CNS. Meningitis is seen with this form of GME and causes fever and neck pain.
[edit] Diagnosis and treatment
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis shows a large number of white blood cells, especially monocytes and neutrophils. A CT scan or MRI will show patchy, diffuse, or multifocal lesions. Symptoms include seizures, cranial nerve disorders, weakness, and change in behavior. Treatment is with immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide.[1] Procarbazine can also be used.[2] Treatment with radiation therapy gives the longest periods of remission, but the condition is rarely cured. The animal usually dies within a few months.[1]
[edit] Pug Dog encephalitis
Pug Dog encephalitis (PDE) is a chronic form of GME. It is also known as necrotizing meningoencephalitis. It differs in pathology from GME by more tissue breakdown and increased eosinophils. The disease may be inherited in Pugs, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers.[1] The most common early symptoms are seizures and dementia, and later circling, head tilt, and nystagmus may be seen. Corticosteroids may improve symptoms, but the dog almost always dies from the disease.[1]
[edit] Other types of noninfectious meningoencephalitis
Steroid-responsive meningoencephalitis is any noninfectious meningoencephalitis that responds well to corticosteroids and usually has an excellent prognosis. This could represent mild forms of GME or PDE, but there are two separate conditions recognized also.
- Steroid-responsive meningitis/arteritis is seen most commonly in Beagles, Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and German Shorthaired Pointers younger than two years of age.[2] Many cases have severe neck pain without other neurologic symptoms. CSF analysis shows predominantly neutrophils.
- Eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis is seen mainly in Golden Retrievers.[2] CSF analysis shows predominantly eosinophils.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 4th ed., W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-6795-3.
- ^ a b c Chrisman, Cheryl; Clemmons, Roger; Mariani, Christopher; Platt, Simon (2003). Neurology for the Small Animal Practitioner, 1st ed., Teton New Media. ISBN 1-893441-82-2.
