Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Intracranial Intra-arachnoid Cysts in 6 Dogs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomographic imaging (CT) characteristics of intracranial intra-arachnoid cysts in six dogs are described. Of the six dogs, three were less than one year of age and 4 were males. Five of the six dogs weighed less than 11 kg. Five cysts were located in the quadrigeminal cistern. On CT images, the intracranial intra-arachnoid cysts had sharply defined margins, contained fluid isodense to CSF and did not enhance following i.v. administration of contrast. On MRI images, the intracranial intra-arachnoid cysts were extra-axial, contained fluid isointense with CSF and did not enhance following i.v. contrast. While spinal arachnoid cysts of dogs have been reported in the literature, other than the six dogs contained in this report, intracranial intra-arachnoid cysts have not to our knowledge been described in animals. These six dogs have a similar age, sex, history, clinical signs, CT and MRI findings to those reported in people with intracranial intra-arachnoid cysts.