Intracranial abscess caused by Rhodococcus equi infection in a foal

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 228; no. 2; pp. 251 - 253
• Main Authors: Janicek, J.C, Kramer, J, Coates, J.R, Lattimer, J.C, LaCarrubba, A.M, Messer, N.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.01.2006
• Subjects: abscess; Actinomycetales Infections - diagnosis; Actinomycetales Infections - drug therapy; Actinomycetales Infections - surgery; Actinomycetales Infections - veterinary; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; bacterial infections; bone diseases; case studies; Epidural Abscess - diagnosis; Epidural Abscess - drug therapy; Epidural Abscess - surgery; Epidural Abscess - veterinary; foals; horse breeds; horse diseases; Horses; Male; Missouri Fox Trotter (horse breed); Pneumonia, Bacterial - complications; Pneumonia, Bacterial - drug therapy; Pneumonia, Bacterial - veterinary; Rhodococcus equi; Rhodococcus equi - isolation & purification; skull; surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.228.2.251

Case Description-A 4-month-old Missouri Fox Trotter colt was examined for a 5-week history of head tilt after treatment for suspected pulmonary Rhodococcus equi infection. Clinical Findings-Computed tomography revealed osteolysis of the occipital, temporal, and caudal portion of the parietal bones of the left side of the cranium. A soft tissue mass compressing the occipital region of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum was associated with the osteolytic bone. Treatment and Outcome-A rostrotentorial-suboccipital craniectomy approach was performed to remove fragmented occipital bone, debulk the intracranial mass, and obtain tissue samples for histologic examination and bacterial culture. All neurologic deficits improved substantially within 3 days after surgery. Bacterial culture of the resected soft tissue and bone fragments yielded R equi. Clinical Relevance-Intracranial surgery in veterinary medicine has been limited to dogs and cats; however, in select cases, extrapolation of surgical techniques used in humans and small animals can assist with intracranial procedures in horses.