Introduction

Meningiomas are most often benign, solitary tumors that grow slowly. It is the most commonly reported primary intracranial tumor in dogs, and the most common anatomic locations are the frontal lobe, falx cerebri, and cerebellopontine angle. Therapeutic goals for treatment of canine intracranial meningiomas include complete excision or cytoreduction of the tumor and control of secondary effects.

Objectives

To evaluate clinical outcome of intracranial meningioma after surgical treatment.

Methods

A 9-year-old, male Maltese was referred with seizure and ataxia for 5 months. On blood examination azotemia (BUN 47.7 mg/dl, creatine 1.7 mg/dl) was found. MRI revealed contrast-enhanced mass at left cerebral mass, dural tail sign and cerebral edema around the mass.

Results

A rostrotentorial surgical approach was performed. For the rostrotentorial approach, craniotomy was performed by use of a high-speed burr and oscillating saw and the solitary tumor was removed after durotomy. The bone flap was replaced. The patient was weaned off the ventilator in a routine manner and recovered from anesthesia in the intensive care unit. Vital signs were satisfactory and return to normal gait after 7 days. The patient, however, showed clinical signs of vomiting, hematuria and hematochezia at days 16 and died the next day.

Conclusions

Meningioma in parietal lobe was removed successfully and no complications were identified after surgery; however, the patient died at day 17 postoperatively. The cause of death was assumed to be the side effects of long-term steroid treatment.