Open AccessDynamic Computed Tomography of the Pituitary Gland in Dogs with Pituitary‐Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism
Author(s) -
VlugtMeijer Roselinda H.,
Meij Björn P.,
Ingh Ted S.G.A.M.,
Rijnberk Ad,
Voorhout George
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02514.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pituitary gland , pituitary adenoma , hypophysectomy , adenoma , pituitary tumors , pathology , pituitary neoplasm , contrast enhancement , contrast (vision) , computed tomography , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging , hormone , artificial intelligence , computer science
Dynamic computed tomography (CT) of the pituitary gland was performed in 55 dogs with pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) that underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. On routine contrast‐enhanced CT images, microadenomas of the pituitary gland often are indistinguishable from nontumorous pituitary tissue because of isoattenuation. Dynamic CT may allow visualization of these adenomas. The changes in the contrast‐enhancement pattern of the pituitary during dynamic CT in 55 dogs with PDH were correlated with surgical and histopathologic findings. In 36 dogs, dynamic CT identified distinct contrast enhancement of the neurohypophysis (pituitary flush). In 24 dogs, this pituitary flush was displaced, which indicated the presence of an adenoma. This observation was confirmed surgically and histopathologically in 18 of the 24 dogs. In 19 dogs, there was a diffusely abnormal contrast‐enhancement pattern. CT findings agreed with surgical findings in 13 of these dogs and with histopathologic findings in all 19 dogs. It is concluded that a dynamic series of scans should be included in the CT protocol of the pituitary gland in dogs with PDH because it allows for identification of an adenoma or a diffusely abnormal pituitary gland.