Ultrasonographic evaluation of left adrenal gland in dogs

An ultrasonographic study was undertaken to examine the adrenal glands in 18 apparently healthy dogs. The animals were divided into three groups of six animals each: group I (0 to 9 months), group II (> 9 months up to 6 yr) and group III (> 6 yr). Ultrasonographic examination was done in lateral recumbency without sedation. The sub-costal approach was found to be the best approach to scan left adrenal gland using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. Ultrasonographic images of left adrenal gland were recorded in sagittal plane and various dimensions were measured. The length of left adrenal gland was 1.61±0.17 cm in group I, 2.2±0.177 cm in group II and 2.44±0.30 cm in group III. The cranial pole diameter of left adrenal gland was 0.32±0.033 cm, 0.49±0.048 cm and 0.54±0.08 cm in groups I, II, III, respectively. The caudal pole diameter of left adrenal was 0.35±0.037 cm, 0.54± 0.029 cm and 0.52±0.08 cm in groups I, II, III, respectively. The left adrenal gland was at a distance of 1.1±0.107 cm from the skin in group I, 2.02±0.43 cm in group II and 2.05±0.25 cm in group III. The volume of gland was 0.60±0.155 mL, 1.85±0.29 mL and 2.32±0.52 mL in groups I, II, III, respectively. The left adrenal gland was peanut shaped, hypoechoic having a homogenous echotexture, with a clear outline in the dogs of all groups. The dimensions and the echotexture of the adrenal glands may assist in the diagnosis of pathologies of the adrenals or other organs.