Ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands in six dogs with hypoadrenocorticism

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of ultrasonographic characterization of the adrenal glands in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. Measurements of adrenal glands were obtained in six dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. The adrenal glands on both sides were shorter (range: left adrenal gland length, 10.0 to 19.7 mm; right adrenal gland length, 9.5 to 18.8 mm) and thinner (range: left adrenal gland thickness, 2.2 to 3.0 mm; right adrenal gland thickness, 2.2 to 3.4 mm) than in normal dogs (range: left adrenal gland length, 13.2 to 26.3 mm; right adrenal gland length, 12.4 to 22.6 mm; left adrenal gland thickness, 3.0 to 5.2 mm; right adrenal gland thickness, 3.1 to 6.0 mm). Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in size of the left adrenal gland (p less than 0.05) in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism compared to the left adrenal gland in normal dogs. The results of this study show that atrophy of the adrenal glands in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism seems to lead to an ultrasonographic-measurable reduction in size of the adrenal glands.