Hemangiosarcoma of the Lumbar Vertebral Spinous Process in a ۳-Year-Old Cat: A Rare Presentation and Diagnostic Imaging Features

Background: Spinal bone tumors are very rare in cats, and hemangiosarcoma growing from a spinous process is exceptionally uncommon. While this type of cancer usually affects internal organs, when it appears as a single bone lesion in the spine - especially in young cats - it becomes particularly challenging to diagnose. Case Description: A ۳-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was brought to the clinic with gradually worsening hind leg weakness. An MRI scan of the lower back was performed to examine the affected area. The scan revealed a distinct, multi-lobed mass growing from the L۵ spinous process that was destroying the bone and extending into surrounding soft tissues. The mass was surgically removed, and the tissue was sent for laboratory analysis. Results: The MRI showed the mass had mixed bright signals on T۲-weighted images and varying signals on T۱-weighted images. After contrast injection, the mass showed strong, uneven enhancement, indicating it was highly vascular. The tumor had destroyed parts of the L۵ spinous process and was slightly compressing the nearby spinal cord. Laboratory examination confirmed the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. Conclusion: This case shows that although spinal hemangiosarcoma is extremely rare in cats, it should be considered when we see destructive spinal lesions - even in young animals and unusual locations like spinous processes. This report emphasizes the importance of including this tumor type in diagnosis considerations and highlights how MRI is essential for both detecting these aggressive tumors and planning effective surgery.

کلیدواژه ها:

Feline ، Hemangiosarcoma ، Spinous-process ، MRI diagnosis ، Paraparesis