[Surgical excision of meningioma of the posterior fossa in a dog after detection by x-ray computed tomography].

Following the progressive occurrence of a central vestibular syndrome in a 9 year old female dog, the diagnosis of a compressive lesion was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid analysis (C.S.F.) and by computerized axial tomography (C.T.). The C.T.Scan revealed a large tumor occupying two thirds of the posterior fossa on the right side. A direct surgical approach to the right side of the posterior fossa revealed a large, friable mass, consistent with a meningioma, underneath the cerebellum, over the brain stem. Microscopic surgical dissection permitted the removal of the major part of the tumor. The nature of the intracranial neoplasm was confirmed histopathologically as a meningioma. No post operative complication arose and the dog returned to normal. Three months later, clinical signs reappeared and a control C.T.Scan showed recurrence of the tumor. The dog was euthanized four months postsurgically. Intracranial tumors are common in the dog, but rarely diagnosed and operated. However, a direct surgical approach to the posterior fossa for a tentative curative removal of an intracranial tumor has never been described in a dog. The localization and description of the lesions demonstrate the utility of C.T.Scans in the canine species. Recurrence of the tumor following surgery confirms the importance of complete excision of intracranial meningiomas when possible.