Abnormal salivation in a dog with a malignant nerve sheath neoplasm involving the glossopharyngeal nerve

Authors: Song RB, Kent M, Glass EN
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 49, Issue 4, pp 116-123, Dec 2019
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Clinical examination
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

A 5-year-old mixed breed dog was evaluated for tetraparesis, a poor gag reflex, unilateral vestibular dysfunction, tongue atrophy, and Horner syndrome. Neurological deficits implicated a left-sided lesion involving the medulla, cranial nerves (CN) VIII, IX, X, XII and sympathetic innervation to the left eye. The motor and sensory deficits combined with the presence of Horner syndrome predicted a lesion extending from the medulla along the path of CN IX and X as they exited the cranial cavity and coursed in the cranial aspect of the neck. In addition to well-recognized neurological deficits, there was abnormal-appearing saliva adherent to the mucosa of the caudodorsal oral cavity, ipsilateral to the affected side, which implied abnormal salivation. The abnormal saliva was likely related to loss of preganglionic parasympathetic innervation provided by the glossopharyngeal nerve, which may have altered the make-up of the saliva or its production. Advanced imaging revealed a neoplasm compressing the medulla and extending along the path of CN IX and X from the cranial cavity through to the cranial aspect of the neck. Post-mortem examination determined that the tumour was a malignant nerve sheath neoplasm.

KEYWORDS: glossopharyngeal, abnormal salivation, nerve sheath neoplasm, dog

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