Elective and Emergency Surgical Management of Adrenal Gland Tumors: 60 Cases (1999–2006)

Abstract

Sixty-one adrenal gland tumors were surgically removed from 60 dogs. Fifty-two dogs underwent elective adrenalectomy and 8 dogs underwent emergency adrenalectomy for acute adrenal hemorrhage. Size of adrenal tumors ranged from 10 mm to 80 mm. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of adrenocortical tumor in 47 dogs, 26 of which were malignant. Pheochromocytoma was diagnosed in 11 dogs. Six dogs had tumor invasion of the caudal vena cava. Of the seven dogs that did not survive the perioperative period, four underwent emergency adrenalectomy. No dogs with tumor invasion of the caudal vena cava died perioperatively. Perioperative morality rates were 5.7% for dogs that underwent elective adrenalectomy and 50% for dogs that underwent emergency adrenalectomy for acute adrenal hemorrhage. Median survival time was 492 days for the 53 dogs that survived the perioperative period. Of the factors analyzed, only adrenal tumor size and the presence of acute adrenal hemorrhage had predictive values for perioperative mortality. Those dogs that survived the perioperative period had extended survival times of up to 1,590 days. The mortality rate associated with elective adrenalectomy in dogs may be lower than previously reported. Dogs with very large tumors or acute adrenal hemorrhage may have a more guarded prognosis.

Adrenalectomy in dogs: retrospective study of 13 cases performed in Universidade Anhembi Morumbi Veterinary Hospital (2012-2015)

“…On the other hand, Lang et al (2011), Naan et al (2013) and Andrade et al (2014) showed a very similar incidence between males and females (55.5% females). The ascertained breeds, there was a heterogeneous representation in the group, noting that Labradors were reported by Schwartz et al (2008), Lang et al (2011), Massari et al (2011, Naan et al (2013) and Andrade et al (2014), followed by Shih-Tzus - Schwartz et al (2008), Lang et al (2011) and Massari et al (2011).…”

“…Currently, adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice for unilateral adrenal tumors (PELÁEZ et al, 2008;NELSON, 2010;LANG et al, 2011). However, adrenalectomy is associated with a high rate of perioperative mortality in dogs (SCHWARTZ et al, 2008).…”

“…Related to adrenalectomy in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism caused by adrenocortical tumors, Van Sluijs et al (1995) reported a small but substantial hypercortisolemia recurrence development index after adrenalectomy, confirmed by measuring urinary cortisol or cortisol suppression by dexamethasone. Moreover, there is the possibility of occurrence of metastases, which also result in the recurrence of the clinical state (LANG et al, 2011).…”

“…Wound infection and dehiscence may be observed, due to the negative effects of steroids on wound healing (LANG et al, 2011;BARRERA et al, 2013;FOSSUM, 2013).…”

“…Identifying the factors that currently influence the perioperative mortality can be useful to guide treatment recommendations (LANG et al, 2011).…”