Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Spinal Chondrosarcoma in a Cat

An 8-year-old, spayed female Persian cat weighing 3.6 kg presented with a lumbosacral mass and bilateral weight bearing hindlimb lameness. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a dumbbell-shaped heterogeneous mass extending through the internal surface of the ileum and surrounding the lumbosacral junction. CT also revealed extensive osteoproliferation and bone lysis of the sacrum, but no evidence of any pulmonary metastasis. Furthermore, MRI revealed a focal area in the spinal cord showing connection with the adjacent tumor, suggesting tumor invasion into the spinal cord. Low-grade myxoid chondrosarcoma was histopathologically diagnosed. This is the first report describing CT and MRI findings of spinal cord chondrosarcoma in veterinary medicine. This study suggests that combining CT with MRI is a more sensitive tool for evaluating spinal tumors than using CT or MRI alone.