GAMMA-CAMERA IMAGING OF BILATERAL ADRENOCORTICAL HYPERPLASIA AND ADRENAL TUMORS IN DOG

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (12) , 1467-1471
Abstract
.gamma.-Camera imaging of the adrenal glands was done in 8 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and 4 normal dogs given i.v. injections of 131I-19-iodocholesterol. In normal dogs, both adrenal glands could be visualized separately, and there was no difficulty in distinguishing among the images of normal glands, hyperplastic glands and functional adrenal tumors. .gamma.-Camera imaging also enabled the correct surgical site to be selected for removal of adrenal tumors. Hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed in 8 dogs by evaluation of urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (OHCS) excretion rates, urinary 17-OHCS and plasma 11.beta.-OHCS responses to dexamethasone suppression of endogenous ACTH secretion and plasma 11.beta.-OHCS response to i.v. administration of ACTH. Base line 17-OHCS excretion increased in 5 of the 8 dogs. Plasma 11.beta.-OHCS concentrations were not decreased by dexamethasone administration in 4 dogs subsequently found to have adrenal tumors. There was an exaggerated increase in plasma 11.beta.-OHCS concentration after administration of ACTH in 3 of the 4 dogs which had bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia.