Jugular Foramen Syndrome: Concurrent Neurological Deficits, Advanced Imaging Findings, Underlying Diagnoses, and Outcomes in 14 Dogs (2016–2024)

Background

Jugular foramen syndrome (JFS), dysfunction of cranial nerves (CNs) IX, X, and XI caused by lesions involving the jugular foramen (JF), is rarely reported in dogs.

Objective

Describe presenting complaints, neurologic findings, advanced imaging findings, underlying diagnoses, and outcomes in dogs with JFS.

Animals

Fourteen client-owned dogs.

Methods

Retrospective, multicenter study of dogs diagnosed with JFS using advanced imaging between 2016 and 2024.

Results

Affected dogs were older (median age, 9.9 years; range, 7.9–14.5 years) and presented with chronic progressive clinical signs (median duration, 135 days; range, 5–720 days). Common presenting complaints included coughing (7/14), retching (6/14), head tilt (5/14), and laryngeal stridor (4/14). Neurologic abnormalities were noted in 11/14 dogs, with CN deficits (10/11), including unilateral laryngeal paralysis (5/10) and tongue atrophy (4/10), being the most common finding. Additional signs included head tilt (7/11) and postural reaction deficits (5/11). Intracranial lesions were identified in 10/14 dogs, with meningioma being the most frequent radiologic or histopathologic diagnosis. In dogs with extracranial lesions (4/14), thyroid carcinoma was common. Median survival time was 218 days (range, 16–477 days).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Neoplastic or suspected neoplastic causes of JFS are common and lesions often extend beyond the JF by the time of diagnosis. As such, neurologic deficits in dogs with JFS often reflect involvement of multiple CNs, not limited to CNs IX, X, and XI. Advanced imaging of the head should be considered in dogs with clinical signs consistent with JFS.