Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT and MRI show skull changes in cats with acromegaly
By Fischetti, Anthony J et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2012·Department of Diagnostic Imaging, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: CT and MRI evaluation of skull bones and soft tissues in six cats with presumed acromegaly versus 12 unaffected cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of six cats with suspected acromegaly (a condition caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland leading to excessive growth hormone) were examined using CT and MRI scans. These cats showed noticeable changes, including thicker frontal bones and soft tissue buildup in their nasal passages and throat, which can lead to breathing difficulties. In contrast, 12 healthy cats did not show these signs. One cat with diabetes but no visible pituitary tumor did not have the same bone thickening or airway issues. The findings help veterinarians understand how to identify and assess acromegaly in cats.
People also search for: cat acromegaly symptoms · cat breathing problems · cat pituitary tumor treatment · thickening skull bone in cats · cat diabetes and growth hormone
Abstract
Feline acromegaly is predominantly caused by an adenoma of the pituitary gland, resulting in excessive growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) secretion. In advanced cases, cats will display prominent facial features and upper airway congestion secondary to bony and soft tissue proliferation. The purpose of this study was to describe CT and MRI characteristics of soft tissues and skull bones in six cats with presumed acromegaly and to compare findings with those observed in 12 unaffected cats. In the five acromegalic cats with CT or MRI evidence of a pituitary tumor, frontal bone thickness was greater than age-matched controls with and without a history of upper airway disease. These five cats also had evidence of soft tissue accumulation in the nasal cavity, sinuses, and pharynx. One cat with insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus, elevated IGF-1, and a normal pituitary size did not have evidence of frontal bone thickening or upper airway congestion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22703122/