Case Report of Severe Congenital Hydranencephaly Associated with Thoracic Kyphosis in a Stillborn Calf from Cajamarca, Peru

Velasquez-Chavez S.; Flores-Olano C.; Portal-Torres J.; Reyna-Cotrina G.; Cueva-Rodríguez M. · International Journal of Veterinary Science (2026) · DOI: 10.47278/journal.ijvs/2026.053

Resumen

Hydranencephaly is a severe congenital malformation characterized by near-total destruction of the cerebral hemispheres and their replacement by cerebrospinal fluid within an intact cranial vault. This condition is commonly associated with intrauterine insults such as viral infections, vascular disturbances, or hypoxic events during critical stages of fetal development. This report describes a stillborn calf presenting with severe congenital anomalies, including marked macrocephaly, thoracic kyphosis, ventral cervical flexion, and bilateral carpal rigidity, which resulted in dystocia. A post-mortem radiographic examination revealed marked expansion of the cranial vault with intracranial radiolucency, vertebral curvature consistent with thoracic kyphosis, and evidence of thoracic compression and abnormal posture. Additional necropsy findings included multisystem involvement, such as pulmonary hypoplasia, renal hypoplasia, and severe abnormalities of the digestive system. Based on these findings, a presumptive diagnosis of severe congenital hydranencephaly associated with thoracic kyphosis was established. The coexistence of neurological, musculoskeletal, and visceral abnormalities suggests a profound disturbance of early embryonic development. Although the precise etiology could not be determined, infectious, toxic, genetic, or vascular causes cannot be excluded. This case highlights the value of post-mortem radiography as a practical diagnostic tool for the evaluation of congenital malformations in cattle, particularly in resource-limited settings, and contributes to the documentation of rare developmental anomalies in bovine species.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca