# Telovelar Approach for the Surgical Resection of a Caudal Fossa Glioma in a Toy Poodle

## TL;DR

A rare surgical approach was used to treat a brain tumor in a toy poodle, showing some recovery but ultimately unsuccessful long-term outcome.

## Contribution

The telovelar approach is reported for the first time in the surgical resection of a caudal fossa glioma in veterinary neurosurgery.

## Key findings

- The telovelar approach allowed partial tumor removal and initial functional recovery in the dog.
- Postoperative imaging confirmed successful debulking of the tumor.
- The patient's death 91 days post-surgery highlights the challenges in treating such gliomas.

## Abstract

This case report describes a rare condition in a dog diagnosed with a caudal fossa glioma, which was treated using the telovelar approach. This surgical method has not been previously reported for glioma of the caudal fossa. The application of this surgical technique provides valuable information regarding patient prognosis in veterinary neurosurgery.

A 7-year-old, 6.5 kg, neutered male toy poodle presented with tetraparesis, characterized by lower motor neuron signs in the forelimbs and upper motor neuron signs in the hindlimbs, along with seizures. Diagnostic imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) revealed a 1.4 cm × 1.4 cm × 2.2 cm mass in the fourth ventricle and caudal part of the brainstem. The surgical objective was to precisely remove masses compressing the cerebellum and brainstem. Using the telovelar approach, the tumor was partially excised, contrary to the goal of complete removal. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of glioma. By the third postoperative day, the patient began to walk independently, and tetra-ataxia symptoms gradually decreased. Postoperative imaging confirmed the successful debulking of the tumor. By postoperative day 15, the patient showed normal gait, and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was initiated 2 weeks later. Unfortunately, the patient died 91 days after surgery, though the precise cause of death remains undetermined.