Ultrasonographic Detected Adrenomegaly in Clinically Ill Cats: A Retrospective Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Scientific literature regarding adrenomegaly in cats is scarce. This study aimed to characterize feline adrenomegaly, estimating its prevalence among clinically ill cats, and assessing whether it was suspected or an incidental finding. Abdominal ultrasonography reports of cats presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital over 28 months were reviewed. Cats showing adrenomegaly (defined as one or both adrenal glands having a dorsoventral axis >4.8 mm) were selected. Medical records and adrenal ultrasonographic findings were detailed. From a total of 983 ultrasonographical reports, 68 (7%) disclosed adrenomegaly. European/domestic short-hair male castrated cats were overrepresented. Adrenomegaly was an incidental finding in most cats (62/68; 91%), while in the remaining, it was identified in the context of exploration of a potential adrenal disease. Chronic kidney disease was the most frequent disease identified in clinically ill cats showing adrenomegaly (27/68; 37%), followed by endocrinopathies. Adrenomegaly was bilateral in more than half of cases, and, in unilateral ones, it was more prevalent on the left side, with a normal-sized contralateral adrenal gland. Comparing both adrenals, left adrenal demonstrated a larger size and a tendency to oval shape. This study assessed the prevalence of adrenomegaly in clinically ill cats, reinforcing it can be an incidental ultrasound finding. ABSTRACT: This retrospective study aimed to assess the prevalence of ultrasonographic detected adrenomegaly in clinically ill cats, evaluating the final established diagnosis, describe adrenal ultrasound findings and if the adrenomegaly was suspected or incidental. Abdominal ultrasonography reports of cats presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital between October 2018 and February 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Cats showing adrenomegaly (one or both glands having a dorsoventral axis >4.8 mm) were selected and medical records respectively evaluated. Nine-hundred and eighty-three ultrasonographical reports were selected, of which, 68 (7%) disclosed adrenomegaly. European/Domestic Short-Hair (62/68; 91%) male (44/68; 65%) castrated (35/44; 80%) cats were overrepresented. Adrenomegaly was an incidental finding in 62/68 (91%) cats while in 6/68 (9%) it was identified in the context of investigating a potential adrenal disease. Concerning established diagnosis, chronic kidney disease was overrepresented (25/68; 37%), followed by endocrinopathies (20/68; 29%). Adrenomegaly was bilateral in 53% (36/68) of cases. In unilateral cases (32/68; 47%), it was more prevalent on the left side (23/32; 72%), with a normal-sized contralateral adrenal gland. Left adrenal demonstrated a larger size and a tendency to oval shape. This study assesses the prevalence of adrenomegaly in clinically ill cats, reinforcing it can be an incidental ultrasound finding.