SUITABILITY AND FOLLOW-UP BY ELASTOGRAPHY AND DOPPLER IN DOGS WITH HYPERADRENOCORTICISM UNDER TRILOSTANE THERAPY

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the adrenal glands by vascular Doppler and elastography of dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH), as well as evaluate its suitability to follow-up during treatment with trilostane. Experimental groups will be compound by 30 control dogs and 10 dogs with a diagnosis of PDH from Veterinary Hospital of Franca University and from Veterinary Hospital of Unesp - Jaboticabal, SP. After laboratory and clinical examinations as well as hormonal tests the dogs will be subjected to a conventional ultrasound examination, Doppler and quantitative and qualitative ARFI elastography (Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse) using ACUSON S2000/SIEMEN ultrasound and specific software. Dogs with PDH will be followed-up during treatment with trilostane at 3 and 6 months after initial evaluation. Blind methodology will be used and a 5% significance level for all tests will be applied. The significance of elastography and Doppler will be obtained at the time of PDH diagnosis, and their suitability to monitoring of the adrenal glands during treatment with trilostane will be obtained by comparison with previous assessments. (AU)