A severe increase in total bilirubin coincided with a decline in neurologic status to comatose in a 9 yr old spayed female mixed-breed dog being treated for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. MRI of the brain was performed to investigate potential causes for the neurologic signs. MRI revealed bilaterally symmetrical hyperintensities within the caudate nuclei, globus pallidus, thalamus, deep cerebellar nuclei, and cortical gray matter on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, which coincided with areas of bilirubin deposition and neuronal necrosis (kernicterus) identified on necropsy examination. This is the second case report of an adult dog exhibiting kernicterus, and the first report to document MRI findings associated with that condition. Kernicterus is an uncommonly reported complication of hyperbilirubinemia in dogs, but is potentially underreported due to difficulties in recognizing subtle lesions and distinguishing kernicterus from other potential causes of neurologic abnormalities with readily available antemortem tests. MRI may be helpful in supporting the diagnosis of kernicterus.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
July/August 2013
Case Reports|
July 01 2013
MRI Findings in a Dog with Kernicterus
Katie M. Belz, DVM;
Katie M. Belz, DVM
*
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Search for other works by this author on:
Andrew J. Specht, DVM, DACVIM;
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Correspondence: [email protected] (A.S.)
Search for other works by this author on:
Victoria S. Johnson, BVSc, DVR, DECVDI, MRCVS;
Victoria S. Johnson, BVSc, DVR, DECVDI, MRCVS
†
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Search for other works by this author on:
Julia A. Conway, DVM, DACVP
Julia A. Conway, DVM, DACVP
§
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Search for other works by this author on:
J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2013) 49 (4): 286–292.
Citation
Katie M. Belz, Andrew J. Specht, Victoria S. Johnson, Julia A. Conway; MRI Findings in a Dog with Kernicterus. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 July 2013; 49 (4): 286–292. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5881
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Long-Term Survival of Primary Intracranial Histiocytic Sarcoma Through Surgical Resection and Low-Dose CCNU
Kyosuke Hidari, DVM, Yuya Nakamoto, DVM, PhD, James K. Chambers, DVM, PhD, Kazuyuki Uchida, DVM, PhD, Isao Mori, DVM, Miwa Nakamoto, DVM
Microfilaria in the Urine of a Dog with Concurrent Urinary Bladder Sarcoma
Nicole Schlette, DVM, Erin Burton, DVM, MS, DACVP, Amber Harris, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), Kendall Langsten, DVM, DACVP, Erik Olson, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Daniel Heinrich, DVM, DACVP
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia with Central Nervous System Involvement in a Dog
Ilaria Tartari, DVM, Fabio Tocco, DVM, Giorgio Cancedda, DVM, Veronica Angioni, DVM, Marco Podda, DVM, Antonella Gallucci, DVM, PhD, DECVN, EBVS
Treatment Outcomes of Canine Orbital Meningiomas in Seven Cases
Akihiro Uno, DVM, Ryota Iwasaki, DVM, PhD, Takashi Mori, DVM, PhD
Transient Hypoadrenocorticism in a 7-Week-Old Kitten
Alba Planas Vintro, BVM, Linda G. Martin, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Cassidy L. Cordon, DVM, Sabrina N. Hoehne, Dr. med. vet., DACVECC, DECVECC, Elizabeth B. Davidow, DVM, DACVECC