Lindsay N, Kirberger R, Williams M.
Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 2010;51:614-616.
A 7-year-old neutered female Boerboel cross was examined for progressive left pelvic limb lameness. There was no left patellar reflex but the remaining pelvic limb reflexes were hyperreflexic. Radiographically, there was a poorly mineralized opacity occupying the intervertebral foramen at L4–L5. On computed tomography images there was a hyperattenuating intramedullary lesion at L4–L5 that continued caudally, lateralized to the left and became extramedullary, terminating at L5–L6. In addition, well marginated, hyperattenuating lesions were noted at two muscular sites. The dog underwent euthanasia and a caudal esophageal mass was found at post mortem examination. The tumors in the spinal cord, the esophagus, and the skeletal muscles were diagnosed histologically as low-grade chondrosarcoma undergoing endochondral ossification. Spirocerca lupi-induced esophageal chondrosarcoma was believed to be the primary site from which the other, presumably metastatic, lesions originated.