Abstract：
Two female (FL 1, FL 2) and one male (ML) 11-wk-old, intact, captive African lion cubs (Panthera leo leo) were presented with a history of mild vestibular signs. Initial serum vitamin A concentrations were low (140 nmol/L) for ML. Calvarial hyperostosis was confirmed using computed tomography (CT) of the head and cervical vertebrae in each cub. CT measurements were adapted in relation to the skull width. ML showed the most pronounced thickening of the tentorium cerebelli and occipital bone, represented by a tentorium cerebelli to skull width ratio (TCR) of 0.08 (FL 1: 0.06, FL 2: 0.05) and a basisphenoid to skull width ratio (BBR) of 0.07 (FL 1: 0.06, FL 2: 0.04). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cerebellar herniation and cervical intramedullary T2-weighted hyperintensity from C1, extending caudally for at least two cervical vertebrae in all cubs. Treatment was initiated with subcutaneous vitamin A supplementation and feeding of whole carcasses. Improvement in ataxia was noticed 3 wk later. Follow-up CT and MRI examinations were performed in ML after 3 and 8 mon. The affected bones appeared slightly less thickened and TCR and BBR had decreased to 0.05 after 3 mon. The cerebellum remained mildly herniated, accompanied by amelioration of cervical T2w hyperintensities. After 8 mon, evaluation and diagnostic imaging revealed further improvement regarding the neurologic status and measurements (TCR 0.05, BBR 0.04) despite persistence of a subtle cerebellar herniation. In conclusion, bone remodeling and improvement in clinical signs may be achievable in young lion cubs presented with calvarial hyperostosis and may be attributable to high-dose vitamin A supplementation.
摘要：
两名女性（FL1，FL2）和一名男性（ML）11周龄，完好无损,圈养的非洲狮子幼崽（Pantheraleoleo）具有轻度前庭体征的历史。ML的初始血清维生素A浓度较低（140nmol/L）。使用每个幼崽的头部和颈椎的计算机断层扫描（CT）证实了颅骨增生。CT测量根据颅骨宽度进行调整。ML显示小脑和枕骨的最明显增厚，小脑小脑与颅骨宽度比（TCR）为0.08（FL1：0.06，FL2：0.05），基底蝶骨与颅骨宽度比（BBR）为0.07（FL1：0.06，FL2：0.04）。磁共振成像（MRI）显示小脑疝和C1的颈髓内T2加权高强度，在所有幼崽中至少有两个颈椎向尾延伸。通过皮下补充维生素A并喂养整个尸体开始治疗。3周后发现共济失调的改善。在3和8个月后的ML中进行CT和MRI检查。3个月后，受影响的骨骼厚度略有减少，TCR和BBR下降至0.05。小脑仍然轻度突出，伴有宫颈T2w高信号的改善。早上8点之后,评估和诊断成像显示，尽管存在轻微的小脑疝，但在神经系统状态和测量方面（TCR0.05，BBR0.04）进一步改善。总之,在出现颅骨肥大的幼狮幼崽中，骨重建和临床体征的改善是可以实现的，这可能归因于高剂量维生素A的补充。
