Computed tomography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 11 cases (2001-2003)

E. Auriemma, P.Y.G. Barthez, R.H. van der Vlugt-Meijer, G. Voorhout, B.P. Meij

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    Abstract

    J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Aug 15;235(4):409-14. Computed tomography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 11 cases (2001-2003). Auriemma E, Barthez PY, van der Vlugt-Meijer RH, Voorhout G, Meij BP. Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary gland in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) caused by histologically confirmed pituitary adenoma. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 11 dogs with PDH that underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs examined between January 2001 and March 2003 were reviewed. Dogs were included in this study if they had clinical signs of hypercortisolism at the time of admission (for which PDH was diagnosed) and underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Pre- and postcontrast CT and low-field MRI (0.2-Tesla magnet) were performed on the same day as surgery for each dog. RESULTS: An abnormal pituitary gland was found in 7 dogs by use of MRI and in the same 7 dogs by use of CT. Significant differences were found between postcontrast CT and MR images for height, width, and length of the pituitary gland; brain area; and thickness of the sphenoid bone. However, the pituitary gland height-to-brain area ratio determined from postcontrast CT and MR images was not significantly different. The signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of pre- and postcontrast MR images were significantly higher than those of the CT images. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low-field MRI and dynamic CT imaging of the pituitary gland provided comparable information on the presence of pituitary adenomas in dogs with PDH. PMID: 19681723 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    Original languageUndefined/Unknown
    Pages (from-to)409-414
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
    Volume235
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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