Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Corticosterone- and aldosterone-secreting adrenocortical tumor in a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2005
- Authors:
- Behrend, Ellen N et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog was taken to the vet because it showed signs of having too much cortisol in its system, which can happen with certain adrenal gland tumors. Blood tests showed high sodium and low potassium levels, and a special injection didn't raise the cortisol levels as expected. Imaging tests revealed a tumor on the adrenal gland, which was confirmed to be an adrenocortical carcinoma (a type of cancer). The tumor was producing excess hormones, including corticosterone and aldosterone, which contributed to the dog's symptoms. The dog was treated with a medication called mitotane, which worked well for about four months, but sadly, the dog was later euthanized due to unrelated neurological issues.
Abstract
A dog was evaluated for clinical signs suggestive of hypercortisolemia. Serum biochemical testing revealed hypernatremia and hypokalemia. Serum cortisol concentration after injection of ACTH was less than the lower reference limit. An adrenal gland tumor was visualized via ultrasonography and computed tomography. Histologic examination confirmed that the mass was an adrenocortical carcinoma. Excess adrenal secretion of corticosterone was hypothesized to be the cause of the signs of glucocorticoid excess. Serum corticosterone secretion was high before and after ACTH injection, compared with clinically normal dogs and dogs with hypercortisolemia and classic hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperaldosteronemia was detected as well. Treatment with mitotane was instituted and successful for a period of 4-months until the dog was euthanatized for neurologic problems that were most likely unrelated to endocrine disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15906564/