Intracranial neoplasms in small animals – Literature review

Abstract

Considered the main causes of neurological pathologies in domestic animals, intracranial neoplasms are often underdiagnosed due to the lack of diagnostic resources in the veterinary field, considering that advanced means are needed for their definitive diagnosis, such as magnetic resonance imaging, tomography and biopsy. The tumors with the highest incidence in pets are: meningiomas, oligodendrocytomas, astrocytomas, choroid plexus papillomas and ependymomas. In general, the most recurrent clinical signs are seizures, behavioral changes, ataxia, and depression. The diagnosis is made by the patient's history, physical examination, complementary tests such as biochemistry, blood count, urinalysis, radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and tomography. For treatment, it is divided into palliative and definitive, with palliative to treat seizures and cranioencephalic edema with anticonvulsants and glucocorticoids, and definitive through surgical excision of the tumor, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.