Animal: Kestrel, squab, female
Diagnosis: Cerebrum, right hemisphere, ischemic infarction, global, acute, with marked diffuse edema
Description: The cerebrum was asymmetric with displacement of the left hemisphere by a significantly enlarged and pale right hemisphere with severe, diffuse edema and marked injection of meningeal vessels.
Comments: The bird died after sudden onset of severe neurological symptoms including nystagmus, torticollis, loss of coordination and impaired balance. Necropsy revealed no additional pathologic changes. Histologically, lytic necrosis, neuronal degeneration and marked edema were present.
In contrast to the frequent occurrence of global cerebral infarction in humans (stroke), similar cases are rare in animals. Typically, it results from a temporary or permanent, complete obstruction of the A. basilaris or A. cerebri posterior.
Picture and authored by: Kristina Dietert, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany