Frenchy specific.....

Veterinary Sciences 2025

Burbaite, E.; Fiorentino, E.; Galli, G.; Gallucci, A.; Tirrito, F.; Gandini, G.; Okonji, S.; Menchetti, M.

Background:
Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO) is an inflammatory central nervous system disease affecting the brain, spinal cord, and meninges, most likely of immune-mediated origin. The condition is increasingly diagnosed, yet its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Breed-specific variations exist, and the French Bulldog (FB) has been identified as a breed prone to neurological disorders. This study aimed to characterize the clinical presentation, MRI features, and outcomes of MUO in FBs.

Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted on 27 client-owned FBs diagnosed with presumptive MUO based on clinical signs, MRI findings, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. MRI scans were performed using low-field and high-field imaging systems, and CSF samples were analyzed when available. Data on treatment protocols and survival outcomes were collected and statistically analyzed.

Results:
The most common clinical signs were acute blindness and cervical pain (25.9% each). MRI findings showed that 66.7% of cases had multifocal lesions, and 44.4% exhibited perilesional brain edema. Midline shift and cerebellar herniation were present in 11.1% and 7.4% of cases, respectively. CSF was normal in 34.8% of cases. Treatment included glucocorticoids for all dogs, with 59.3% receiving cytosine arabinoside. The median survival time was 775 days, but factors such as epileptic seizures, midline shift, and relapse were associated with higher mortality (p < 0.05).

Limitations:
The study was retrospective and lacked histopathological confirmation of MUO subtypes. Small sample size and varied imaging/treatment protocols across centers may have influenced results. Additionally, follow-up data were incomplete for some cases.

Conclusions:
French Bulldogs with MUO present with similar clinical features to other affected breeds, with cervical pain and blindness being common signs. MRI findings suggest that MUO in FBs may not be limited to a single histopathologic subtype. Seizures, midline shift, and relapse were associated with poorer survival. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment strategies.

Images of a 3-T MRI study of a 5-year-old male French Bulldog. (A) Mid-sagittal T2-W, (B) T2-W transverse, (C) FLAIR, (D) T1 post-contrast transverse images of the brain. At the level of the caudal margin of the interthalamic adhesion, in the left parietal and temporal regions, there are diffuse T2-W and FLAIR hyperintense lesions with cloudy margins. They display clear, inhomogeneous contrast enhancement. In addition, partial obliteration of the sulci is observed in correspondence to the lesions.

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