Ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands in six dogs with hypoadrenocorticism

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of ultrasonographic ch aracterization of the adrenal glands in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. Meas urements of adrenal glands were obtained in six dogs with hypoadrenocortici sm. The adrenal glands on both sides were shorter (range: left adrenal glan d 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 gl and length, 13.2 to 26.3 mm; right adrenal gland length, 12.4 to 22.6 mm; l eft 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 si ze of the left adrenal gland (p less than 0.05) in dogs with hypoadrenocort icism compared to the left adrenal gland in normal dogs. The results of thi s study show that atrophy of the adrenal glands in dogs with hypoadrenocort icism seems to lead to an ultrasonographic-measurable reduction in size of the adrenal glands.