Computed tomographic findings in the pituitary gland and brain of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
Abstract: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the most common endocrinologic disorder of aged horses. Objective: Pituitary glands of PPID-affected horses are larger than those of aged horses without signs of PPID, and the size difference can be detected using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods: Eight horses with clinical signs of PPID and supportive endocrinologic test results and 3 aged control (PPID-negative) horses. Methods: Computed tomography examination of the brain and pituitary gland was performed twice in 10 of the 11 horses, approximately 6 months apart. Six PPID-affected horses were treated with pergolide for 6 months between CT scans. The second CT scan was followed by euthanasia and pathologic examination of 6 PPID-affected horses (4 treated horses). Results: On initial examination, pituitary glands of PPID-affected horses were larger in height (P < .01) and width (P < .01) than controls, but the difference in length was not significant (P = .06). After 6 months of pergolide treatment of PPID-affected horses, pituitary gland length increased (P < .05), but height and width were not different from pretreatment values. There was no difference between pituitary gland measurements made at the terminal CT scans and necropsy. Furthermore, pituitary gland volume calculated from the measurements was highly correlated to pituitary gland weight. Additional CT findings were bilaterally symmetrical mineralization in the thalamus and cholesterol granulomas adjacent to the lateral and fourth ventricles. Conclusions: CT is a useful imaging modality to determine pituitary gland size of PPID-affected horses,and CT measurements are similar to gross pathologic measurements.
Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2011-08-30 PubMed ID: 21985144DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00784.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
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.
Cite This Article
APA
Pease AP, Schott HC, Howey EB, Patterson JS.
(2011).
Computed tomographic findings in the pituitary gland and brain of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
J Vet Intern Med, 25(5), 1144-1151.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00784.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brain / diagnostic imaging
- Brain / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Pituitary Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Pituitary Diseases / pathology
- Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
- Pituitary Gland / diagnostic imaging
- Pituitary Gland / pathology
- Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / diagnostic imaging
- Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / pathology
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses.. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 10;9(10).
- Lloyd-Edwards RA, Willems DS, Beukers M, van den Brom-Spierenburg A, Vernooij JCM, Veraa S. Presumed cholesterinic granulomas detected on CT in horses are associated with increased lateral ventricle height and age.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2020 May;61(3):269-278.
- Crijns CP, Baeumlin Y, De Rycke L, Broeckx BJ, Vlaminck L, Bergman EH, van Bree H, Gielen I. Intra-arterial versus intra venous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine head.. BMC Vet Res 2016 Jan 7;12:6.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
