Computed tomographic findings in the pituitary gland and brain of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

The research paper outlines a study conducted to explore computed tomographic (CT) findings in horses affected by the common endocrinologic disorder Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). It examines the size differences in the pituitary glands of PPID-affected horses compared to unaffected ones, and assesses the potential of CT imaging in diagnosing PPID.

Objectives and Methods

• The article begins by setting out its main aim: to investigate whether the enlarged pituitary glands often seen in PPID-affected older horses can be noticed and assessed using computed tomography imaging.
• The methods applied in this study involve two distinct groups of horses: eight horses showing clinical symptoms of PPID supported by endocrinologic test results, and three aging control horses that displayed no signs of PPID.
• CT examinations of the pituitary gland and brain were performed twice on 10 out of the 11 horses, with approximately six months between each scan.
• In between the two CT scans, six of the PPID-affected horses were treated with pergolide, a common medication for this condition.
• After the second CT scan, pathological examinations were performed on the six PPID-affected horses that were initially treated with pergolide.

Results and Findings

• Initial observations showed that the pituitary glands of horses affected by PPID were significantly larger in height and width compared to the control group.
• However, after six months of pergolide treatment, the pituitary gland length increased, while height and width remained unchanged from pre-medication levels.
• No significant difference was noted in the measurements of the pituitary glands from terminal CT scans and necropsy, indicating the accuracy of CT measurements.
• The volume of the pituitary gland, calculated from the measurements, was found to have a strong correlation with pituitary gland weight.
• Other findings from the CT scans included symmetrical mineralization in the thalamus and cholesterol granulomas adjacent to the lateral and fourth ventricles.

Conclusions

• The study confirms the utility and accuracy of CT imaging in determining the size of pituitary glands in PPID-affected horses. It aligns with gross pathological measurements, thus providing a reliable non-invasive method for diagnosing PPID.
• Furthermore, it underlines the potential of CT scans in measuring treatment progress, especially in terms of gland size alterations brought about by medications like pergolide.

Overall, the study underscored the value of CT as an effective imaging tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of PPID in horses.