Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sudden neurological problems in 26 dogs with pituitary apoplexy
By Woelfel, Christian W et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Veterinary Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Presumed pituitary apoplexy in 26 dogs: Clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 26 dogs showed sudden signs of neurological problems, such as changes in behavior and difficulty walking, due to a condition called pituitary apoplexy, which involves bleeding in the pituitary gland. Many of these dogs also experienced gastrointestinal issues. After diagnosis through MRI, treatment varied: some received only medication, while others had both medication and radiation therapy. Those treated with both had a longer survival time, with some living over two years after treatment. Overall, dogs that survived their hospital stay had a good chance of recovery.
People also search for: dog neurological problems · pituitary apoplexy in dogs · dog behavior changes treatment · dog MRI results explained
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pituitary apoplexy refers to hemorrhage or infarction within the pituitary gland resulting in acute neurological abnormalities. This condition is poorly described in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To document presenting complaints, examination findings, endocrinopathies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), treatments, and outcomes of dogs with pituitary apoplexy. ANIMALS: Twenty-six client-owned dogs with acute onset of neurological dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Dogs were diagnosed with pituitary apoplexy if MRI or histopathology documented an intrasellar or suprasellar mass with evidence of hemorrhage or infarction in conjunction with acute neurological dysfunction. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and imaging reports. RESULTS: Common presenting complaints included altered mentation (16/26, 62%) and gastrointestinal dysfunction (14/26, 54%). Gait or posture changes (22/26, 85%), mentation changes (18/26, 69%), cranial neuropathies (17/26, 65%), cervical or head hyperpathia (12/26, 46%), and hyperthermia (8/26, 31%) were the most frequent exam findings. Ten dogs (38%) lacked evidence of an endocrinopathy before presentation. Common MRI findings included T1-weighted hypo- to isointensity of the hemorrhagic lesion (21/25, 84%), peripheral enhancement of the pituitary mass lesion (15/25, 60%), brain herniation (14/25, 56%), and obstructive hydrocephalus (13/25, 52%). Fifteen dogs (58%) survived to hospital discharge. Seven of these dogs received medical management alone (median survival 143 days; range, 7-641 days) and 8 received medications and radiation therapy (median survival 973 days; range, 41-1719 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with pituitary apoplexy present with a variety of acute signs of neurological disease and inconsistent endocrine dysfunction. Dogs that survive to discharge can have a favorable outcome.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37084035/