Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with abdominal mass and high sodium-potassium ratio diagnosis
By Renschler, Janelle S & Dean, Gregg A·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2009·Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: What is your diagnosis? Abdominal mass aspirate in a cat with an increased Na:K ratio.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in because it was urinating more frequently than normal. Tests showed high cholesterol and triglycerides, and an ultrasound revealed kidney stones and a mass near the liver. The mass was surgically removed, and tests indicated it was an adrenal tumor (adrenal carcinoma). Unfortunately, about four months later, the cat started vomiting, became weak, and had low potassium levels. After further surgery to remove the tumor, the diagnosis was confirmed, and the cat was treated for the underlying hormonal issues caused by the tumor.
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Abstract
A 13-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of pollakiuria. Laboratory abnormalities included mild hypercholesterolemia, moderate hypertriglyceridemia, and a mild increase in the Na:K ratio (43, reference interval 32-41). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed urinary calculi and a soft tissue mass between the right caudate liver lobe and the right kidney. Surgery was done to remove the cystic calculi, and aspirates of the mass were obtained. Cytologic specimens contained a population of large, round to angular cells with round nuclei, coarse irregularly stippled chromatin, 1-2 prominent round to angular nucleoli, and abundant pale basophilic cytoplasm distended by numerous well-delineated vacuoles. Rare binucleated cells and micronuclei, and moderate anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and anisonucleoleosis were noted. The cytologic interpretation was adrenal neoplasia, consistent with adrenal carcinoma. Approximately 4 months later, the cat developed vomiting, dehydration, weakness, and cervical ventroflexion. Serum biochemical alterations at that time included marked hypokalemia (2.4 mmol/L, reference interval 3.4-5.6 mmol/L) and a markedly increased Na:K ratio (65, reference interval 32-41). Mean systolic blood pressure was 205 mmHg. Surgical removal of the mass was accomplished via right adrenalectomy and a diagnosis of adrenal carcinoma was confirmed histologically. Plasma aldosterone concentration (measured preoperatively) was 1358 pmol/L (reference interval 194-388 pmol/L). Primary hyperaldosteronism caused by a functional adrenal carcinoma is an uncommon condition in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19228358/