RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF 50 CANINE INTRACRANIAL TUMORS EVALUATED BY MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 50 dogs with intracr anial neoplasia. The following tumor features were assessed: axial ori gin, location, shape, growth pattern, MRI signal intensity, evidence f or edema, and paramagnetic contrast enhancement. Histologic diagnoses included 5 intracranially invading nasal tumors, 7 pituitary tumors, 2 2 meningiomas, 6 choroid plexus tumors, 7 astrocytomas, 1 ependymoma, and 2 oligodendrogliomas. Axial origin, site, shape, and growth patter n were important diagnostic characteristics for tumor type. Signal int ensity and contrast enhancement pattern allowed further differentiatio n. Characteristic MRI features that facilitate diagnosis and prognosis were identified. Accurate diagnosis of tumor type based on these feat ures was not always possible because of similarities in MRI appearance for some tumors. Tissue biopsy remains necessary for definitive diagn osis of intracranial tumors. Copyright (C) 1997 by the American Colleg e of Veterinary Internal Medicine.