IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-MALIGNANT PERIPHERAL NERVE SHEATH TUMOR PRESENTING AS AN INTRA-AXIAL BRAIN MASS IN A YOUNG DOG

A 3-year-old Labrador retriever was presented with acute onset seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an intra-axial mass affecting the right temporal lobe of the brain. Surgical resection and histopathological findings were most consistent with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. After initial recovery, deterioration 3 months post surgery prompted euthanasia. Post-mortem revealed a mass protruding from the ventral surface of the temporal lobe, encroaching upon the optic chiasm and invading the brain. Histopathology findings were again consistent with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Although rare, this tumor should be included as a possible differential diagnosis for intra-axial brain masses in dogs. (C) 2013 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.