Case Study

Adrenal mass in an 11 year old mixed breed dog with weight loss and hypertension

The patient is an 11 year old mixed breed canine. The patient is anorexic and has had weight loss. Bloodwork was unremarkable. Blood pressure was 260.

The patient is an 11 year old mixed breed canine. The patient is anorexic and has had weight loss. Bloodwork was unremarkable. Blood pressure was 260.

DX

Suspect pheochromocytoma with hepatic metastasis.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Left adrenal gland mass with concurrent liver mass. Suspect pheochromocytoma given the invasive nature of the mass and concurrent severe systemic hypertension. Hepatic metastasis is likely.

Image Interpretation

A complex mass arising from the left adrenal gland (4.71 x 1.67 cm) was present invading and expanding the vena cava. Multiple masses are noted in the liver of similar echogenicity to the adrenal mass. Loss of structural detail is significant.

Outcome

The patient was euthanized.

Comments

Multiple studies have shown that invasive adrenal masses are either pheochromocytoma or adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma may functional or nonfunctional. Technically, this could have been a non-functional carcinoma, but this diagnosis would not explain the severe systemic hypertension present in this patient. Therefore, pheochromocytoma was strongly suspected. Unfortunately, no necropsy or post mortem biopsy was permitted by the owner.