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Rare Diagnosis in a Puppy: Spinal Round Cell Sarcoma Mimics Common Myelopathies
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 2025
Obi Veterinary Education
December 04, 2025
Kristiansen KV, Schrøder AS, Bienzle D, Vedel T, Agerholm JS, Berendt M
Background
Spinal tumors are rarely documented in juvenile dogs, with most cases reported in adults. While several types of spinal neoplasms have been described in young dogs, including nephroblastomas, primitive neuroectodermal tumors, gliomas, and sarcomas, round cell sarcomas have not previously been reported in this population. This case report aims to highlight the importance of considering neoplasia, even in very young animals with acute spinal cord signs.
Methods
A 10-week-old female Rottweiler presented with a 4-day history of progressive pelvic limb ataxia and lumbar pain. Neurological examination localized the lesion to the T3–L3 spinal cord segment. MRI was performed, followed by euthanasia due to poor prognosis and extensive lesion involvement. Necropsy, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were conducted to confirm diagnosis.
Results
MRI revealed a 2.8 x 1.3 x 1.1 cm, well-defined, extradural mass centered at L3–L4, displacing and compressing the spinal cord. The mass extended dorsolaterally with evidence of vertebral bone destruction. Post-mortem confirmed an epidural round cell sarcoma with osseous and para-spinal soft tissue involvement, but without dural or muscular invasion. Histologically, the tumor consisted of pleomorphic round cells with high mitotic activity. IHC was negative for all tested markers except for ~14% Ki-67 positivity, confirming a diagnosis of poorly differentiated round cell sarcoma.
Limitations
As a single case report, the findings are not generalizable. The precise timing of tumor onset remains unclear, and some MRI findings did not align with the actual anatomical localization, underscoring the potential for imaging misinterpretation. No genetic or molecular subtyping of the sarcoma was performed.
Conclusions
This is the first reported case of a spinal round cell sarcoma in a juvenile dog. Despite the rarity of spinal tumors in young dogs, neoplasia should be included in the differential diagnosis for acute progressive myelopathy. MRI is crucial for early diagnosis, and histopathology with IHC remains essential for definitive characterization. Early imaging may help guide treatment or support humane decision-making in rapidly progressing cases.
Magnetic resonance imaging findings of the lumbar spine. Transverse T2-weighted image at the level of the L4 vertebra (a) and dorsal T1-weighted image on the level of the spinal cord pre-contrast (b) and post gadolinium contrast (c) showing a confirmed extradural mass encompassing the left pedicle of L4. The mass appears hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences (a), isointense to the spinal cord on T1-weighted sequences (b), and moderately, heterogeneously contrast enhancing with meningeal enhancement “dural-tail”-sign (c). The mass extends into the vertebral canal (white arrows) and left dorsolateral (white arrowheads). The mass displaces and compresses the spinal cord towards the right (asterisk)
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