CT diagnosis of pituitary abscess, suppurative meningitis, and atlanto-occipital septic arthritis in a pony

Abstract

A 15-year-old pony was presented for acute neurological signs. Neurological examination suggested a brainstem lesion, blood laboratory tests detected an active inflammatory process, and upper respiratory endoscopy identified a suppurative lesion at the dorsal aspect of the right guttural pouch. Computed tomography was performed and findings were consistent with pituitary abscess, meningitis, and atlanto-occipital joint septic arthritis. Imaging findings were confirmed based on cerebrospinal and synovial fluid cultures and necropsy. Computed tomography provided important information for identifying the cause of the patient's neurological signs and helped the owner make a final decision for euthanasia.