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- Golf tee sign helped differ this extramedullary neoplasia from its intramedullary counterpart.
Golf tee sign helped differ this extramedullary neoplasia from its intramedullary counterpart.
J. Vet. Med. Sci. 2019
Obi Veterinary Education
January 29, 2026
Kenji KUTARA, Noritaka MAETA, Teppei KANDA, Akihiro OHNISHI, Ikki MITSUI, Masahiro MIYABE, Yuki SHIMIZU, Yasuhiko OKAMURA
Background
Neurological deficits in dogs’ pelvic limbs may result from conditions such as intervertebral disc herniation or spinal neoplasia. Among spinal tumors, intradural extramedullary hemangiosarcomas are extremely rare, and to the authors' knowledge, their MRI characteristics have not previously been reported in dogs. The aim of this report is to describe the MRI findings of such a tumor in a dog, and highlight the diagnostic utility of the "golf tee sign" observed via MR myelography in distinguishing intradural extramedullary from intramedullary lesions.
Methods
An 11-year-old male Miniature Dachshund presenting with acute pelvic limb paraparesis underwent detailed neurological and imaging evaluations. MRI was performed using multiple sequences (T1WI, T2WI, post-contrast T1WI, and 3D MR myelography), followed by whole-body CT to assess for metastases. Surgical intervention involved hemilaminectomy and durotomy, and the mass was histopathologically examined to confirm diagnosis.
Results
MRI revealed a hyperintense lesion at the L1-2 intervertebral disc space compressing the spinal cord ventrally, with mass enhancement visible only on post-contrast T1WI. A “golf tee sign” was evident on MR myelography, indicating an intradural extramedullary lesion. CT scans identified additional small masses in subcutaneous tissue and lungs but no primary tumor. Histopathology confirmed both the intradural mass and a muscle mass as hemangiosarcomas. Postoperative neurological improvement was limited, and further follow-up was not obtained.
Limitations
The study involved a single case, and the primary tumor site could not be determined. T2*-weighted images, useful for detecting hemorrhage, were not acquired. Additionally, follow-up data were unavailable due to the owner's decision against continued care.
Conclusions
This case is the first to document MRI characteristics of an intradural extramedullary hemangiosarcoma in a dog. The lesion mimicked intramedullary hemangiosarcoma in typical MRI sequences, but the “golf tee sign” on MR myelography was critical for accurate localization. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating MR myelography when traditional MRI features are ambiguous and suggest that whole-body CT should be used to detect metastases in similar cases.
Fig. 1. Magnetic resonance images in the sagittal plane showing the mass lesion (white arrowheads). (A) T2-weighted image. The spinal cord at
the level of the L1-2 intervertebral disc space shows a heterogeneously hyperintense lesion. (B) Three-dimensional myelography image. The
margins of the mass are within the intradural extramedullary compartment, and the ventral cerebrospinal fluid line is deviated dorsally, creating
the “golf tee sign” (white arrows). (C) T1-weighted image. (D) Post-contrast T1-weighted image. The entire mass displays contrast enhancement.
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