Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery to treat excess growth hormone from pituitary tumor in a dog
By Steele, Matthew M E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for the treatment of hypersomatotropism secondary to a pituitary somatotroph adenoma in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-10-month-old male neutered Patterdale Terrier was brought in with symptoms like excessive thirst and urination, snoring, and changes in his appearance, including wider facial features and paws. Tests revealed a pituitary tumor causing high levels of growth hormone, leading to a condition called hypersomatotropism. The dog underwent a successful surgery to remove the tumor, which quickly resolved the symptoms of hypersomatotropism. However, he continued to have diabetes mellitus, which is a separate condition that may need ongoing management.
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Abstract
Pituitary-dependent hypersomatotropism is rarely diagnosed in dogs and surgical treatment is not reported. A 6-year-10-month male neutered Patterdale Terrier presented with polyuria, polydipsia, progressive pharyngeal stertor, excessive hair growth and widened facial features and paws. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration via radioimmunoassay was consistent with hypersomatotropism (1783 ng/mL). A pituitary mass was identified on magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging. Six weeks later, glucosuria, starved hyperglycemia and serum fructosamine above the reference range (467.6 μmol/L, RI 177-314) were documented, consistent with diabetes mellitus. Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy was performed under general anesthesia without complications. Pituitary histopathology identified an acidophil neoplasm, with positive immunostaining for growth hormone. Postoperatively, there was rapid resolution of clinical, biochemical and morphologic changes of hypersomatotropism with persistence of diabetes mellitus. This case demonstrates successful resolution of hypersomatotropism with ongoing diabetes mellitus in a dog after surgical treatment by transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37916616/