Computed tomographic adrenal gland quantification in canine adrenocorticotroph hormone-dependent hyperadrenocorticism

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2008 Sep-Oct;49(5):449-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2008.00405.x.

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study to determine whether multidetector computed tomography (CT) could be of value for adrenal gland assessment in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Adrenal gland attenuation and volume values of 49 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism were recorded and age, body weight, and gender were examined to determine if a relationship existed between these variables and adrenal gland morphology. There was not a statistically significant difference in mean X-ray attenuation of the left vs. right adrenal gland in normal dogs (35.3 +/- 6.1 HU), or in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. The mean adrenal X-ray attenuation (+/- standard deviation [SD]) in dogs with microadenoma was 33.1 +/- 6.8 vs. 31.8 +/- 12.7 HU for dogs with macroadenoma, and these values were not statistically different. The mean volume of the left adrenal gland in normal dogs (0.59 +/- 0.17 cm3) was greater than that of the right adrenal gland (0.54 +/- 0.19 cm3) (P < 0.05). The mean CT volume (+/- SD) of the adrenal glands in dogs with microadenoma vs. macroadenoma were 1.60 +/- 1.25 vs. 2.88 +/- 1.60 cm3, respectively. There was no effect of age or gender on adrenal gland morphology or X-ray attenuation. The weight effect was the most important source of variation for the volume measurement in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / veterinary
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Adrenal Glands / anatomy & histology
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / pathology
  • Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary*