Abstract
Hyperadrenocorticism is a relatively common endocrinopathy in middle-aged and older dogs, which has become increasingly frequent in the clinical routine. The diagnosis is made by information obtained by history, physical exam findings and results of screening and specific endocrine tests. In addition to laboratory tests, imaging diagnosis, such as ultrasound, can aid on evaluation of possible changes in these cases; also, they may reveal the possible involvement of other organs and systems. The aim of this study was to present the main ultrasonographic changes observed in 18 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, diagnosed from 2013 to 2020 by the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, among which hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, gallbladder sludge, renal changes, cystitis and changes in adrenal size, such as bilateral and/or unilateral adrenomegaly, can be cited. Ultrasound examination, therefore, is an examination that can help the clinician in confirming the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism, in addition to allowing differentiation between pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) and adrenal tumors, and the evaluation of possible secondary changes to the disease.
Highlights
Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), called Cushing’s Disease, is an endocrine disease that has become increasingly common in dogs (BENNAIM; SHIEL; MOONEY, 2019a)
It mainly affects adult and elderly dogs due to changes in adrenals that mostly range from functional adrenal tumors (MARTIN, 2001) to problems of overproduction of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by pituitary gland, known as pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PHD) (SANDERS; KOOISTRA; GALAC, 2018)
The diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism is still considered challenging, as it is based on history, clinical signs, laboratory tests, possible adrenal function tests and imaging diagnosis (BENNAIM; SHIEL; MOONEY, 2019b)
Summary
Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), called Cushing’s Disease, is an endocrine disease that has become increasingly common in dogs (BENNAIM; SHIEL; MOONEY, 2019a). It mainly affects adult and elderly dogs due to changes in adrenals that mostly range from functional adrenal tumors (MARTIN, 2001) to problems of overproduction of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by pituitary gland, known as pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PHD) (SANDERS; KOOISTRA; GALAC, 2018). It has been reported that dogs with PDH commonly have bilateral adrenomegaly, while dogs with adrenal tumor present asymmetric adrenals (BENNAIM; SHIEL; MOONEY, 2019a) The differentiation of these two forms of HAC is necessary to establish appropriate therapy and prognosis (BARGELLINI et al, 2013)
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