Radiographic findings in dogs with naturally-occurring primary hypoadrenocorticism

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1999 May-Jun;35(3):208-12. doi: 10.5326/15473317-35-3-208.

Abstract

Survey radiographs often are obtained in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism in adrenal crisis as part of the routine evaluation of a critically ill dog. In this study, standardized methods of cardiac, pulmonary vasculature, and vena cava mensuration were used in 22 dogs with naturally-occurring primary hypoadrenocorticism, and the findings were compared with those in 22 breed-matched, clinically normal dogs. Most (81.8%) untreated dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism had one or more radiographic abnormalities, including small size of the heart (45.5%), cranial lobar pulmonary artery (36.4%), caudal vena cava (54.5%), or liver (36.4%). Megaesophagus was not found in any of the dogs with hypoadrenocorticism, and therefore, compared to the other common radiographic findings, should be considered a rare finding.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Insufficiency / complications
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / pathology
  • Radiography