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DERMOID sinus (also termed pilonidal sinus, pilonidal cyst or dermoid cyst) is a developmental anomaly characterised by incomplete separation of the skin from the neural tube during embryonic development (Lord and others 1957, Mann and Stratton 1966, Antin 1970). Six different types of dermoid sinus exist and classification is based on their relationship to the supraspinous ligament (Mann and Stratton 1966, Kiviranta and others 2011). This short communication describes the clinical, MRI and histopathological features of a type IV dermoid sinus and spina bifida in a young Victorian bulldog. An 11-month-old male Victorian bulldog was referred for investigation of progressive paraparesis, moderate hindlimb ataxia and moderate proprioceptive deficits in both hindlimbs. At physical examination, it was noted that the hair was growing in a spiral fashion on the dorsal midline in the mid-thoracic region. A small, fluctuating mass was palpable subcutaneously and evoked considerable pain for the dog; the mass was continuous with a firm fistulous cord attached to the underlying tissues. A round-shaped opening in the skin (diameter 0.5 cm) containing no exudates was found after clipping of the hair. Radiographs of the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine were unremarkable. MRI scans (Vet-MR Grande; Esaote) of the dog's thoracic region were obtained in three planes of orientation before and after the intravenous administration of 0.1 mmol/kg gadolinium (Magnevist; Schering). Transverse T1-weighted and T2-weighted images revealed an invagination of the epidermal and dermal tissues towards the spinous process of T8. A fistular tract was visible connecting the spinal cord with the opened skin layers. The normal morphology of T8 was lost: this vertebra lacked a normal vertebral arch and the spinous process …

EQUINE multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a relatively recently described condition in horses, characterised by a loss of functional pulmonary parenchyma due to extensive nodular to coalescing interstitial fibrosis; the remaining alveoli are lined by cuboidal epithelium and are filled with inflammatory cells (Williams and others 2007). EMPF was described first in the USA (Williams and others 2007, Hart and others 2008, Wong and others 2008), but more recently has been reported in Europe, in Germany and Austria (Poth and others 2009, Niedermaier and others 2010). A strong association between EMPF and equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5) has been established, although the pathogenesis of the condition is still unclear (Williams and others 2007). EHV-5 is a DNA gammaherpesvirus, which has been detected in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Europe in nasal swabs and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from both healthy horses and those with respiratory signs, at highly variable rates (Agius and Studdert 1994, Reubel and others 1995, Franchini and others 1997, Borchers and others 1999, Dunowska and others 1999, Nordengrahn and others 2002, Bell and others 2006, Wang and others 2007, Torfason and others 2008, Fortier and others 2009). EHV-5 has also been identified in horses in the UK, where PCR yielded a positive result in PBLs from five of 21 healthy adult horses (Nordengrahn and others 2002). This short communication describes two cases of EMPF in the UK, and their association with EHV-5. The first case, an 11-year-old thoroughbred gelding, was presented in February 2010 with a two-week history of lethargy, listlessness and an increased respiratory rate. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations (Fig 1a, b) revealed nodular lesions throughout both lungs. The animal was euthanased. At postmortem examination, gross findings in the lungs were consistent …