Diagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma in a dog by magnetic resonance imaging

Kitagawa M, Okada M, Yamamura H, et al. 

Vet Rec 2006;159:288-289.

OLFACTORY neuroblastoma is an intranasal tumour originating from the olfactory neuroepithelium that lines the roof of the nasal vault and is in close proximity to the cribriform plate. It may extend to the paranasal cavity and intracranial cavity (Pickuth and others 1999). In human beings, olfactory neuroblastoma is relatively rare, account- ing for 1 to 5 per cent of all intranasal malignant tumours (Pickuth and others 1999). In dogs, there have been a few reports of olfactory neuroblastoma (Luginbuhl and others 1968, Foster and others 1988, Patnaik 1989), but none of the reports describe the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in making the diagnosis. This short communication describes the use of MRI in the diagnosis of olfactory neuro- blastoma in a dog.