Ultrasonography of the Adrenal Glands (2023)

Peer Reviewed

Radiology/Imaging

Part of our series on ultrasound evaluation of specific abdominal organs/systems, this article reviews ultrasonography of the adrenal glands.

August 4, 2017|

Issue: September/October 2017

Elizabeth Huynh

DVM

Elizabeth Huynh, DVM, is a diagnostic imaging resident and graduate student at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests include ultrasonography, cross-sectional imaging, and nuclear medicine. She received her DVM from Ross University, finished her clinical year at Ohio State University, and completed a diagnostic imaging internship at Animal Specialty and Emergency Center in Los Angeles, California.

Read Articles Written by Elizabeth Huynh

Clifford R. Berry

DVM, DACVR

(Video) Normal Adrenal Gland Sonography

Dr. Berry is an adjunct professor of diagnostic imaging at the University of Florida and a clinical assistant professor of diagnostic imaging at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his DVM from University of Florida and completed a radiology residency at University of California–Davis. He has a specific interest in diagnostic imaging of the thorax.

Updated October 2022

Read Articles Written by Clifford R. Berry

Localization and Scanning Technique

Left Adrenal Gland

The following are anatomic landmarks that help identify the location of the left adrenal gland:

The left kidney is the lateral landmark.
The abdominal aorta is the medial landmark.
The celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries are cranial to the left adrenal gland.
The left renal artery is the caudal landmark.
The left phrenicoabdominal artery is the dorsal landmark.
The left phrenicoabdominal vein is the ventral landmark (Figure 1).¹

FIGURE 1. Longitudinal axis view of the left adrenal gland including the phrenicoabdominal vein (white arrowhead) on the ventral aspect of the adrenal gland in a dog. Ao, aorta.

The normal left adrenal gland is in a cranial and medial position relative to the left kidney (Figure 2).^1–5 However, the position of the left adrenal gland relative to the left kidney may be altered when the left kidney is displaced by excessive transducer pressure. The significant mobility of that kidney is a result of its being suspended by the renal stalk (vessels and ureter) and bound ventrally by the mesothelial lining of the peritoneum.

FIGURE 2. Transverse plane computed tomographic (CT) image at the level of the left adrenal gland (*) of a dog obtained after IV contrast administration. Note the normal lateral and ventral anatomic location of the left adrenal gland relative to the aorta (Ao). CVC, caudal vena cava; LK, left kidney; P, portal vein; RK, right kidney.

The left adrenal gland is slightly lateral and ventral to the abdominal aorta and sits adjacent or caudal to the celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries.^1,4,5

The caudal pole of the adrenal gland is localized cranial to the “hook” of the left renal artery and its origin from the left lateral margin of the abdominal aorta (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3. Dorsal plane reformatted CT image at the level of the left adrenal gland (*) in a dog obtained after IV contrast medium administration. Note the hook of the left renal artery located caudal to the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland. Also, note the phrenicoabdominal vein traversing in between the cranial and caudal poles of the left adrenal gland.

The left phrenicoabdominal artery is noted along the dorsal surface of the left adrenal gland. Without color Doppler ultrasound, it may not be visible.

(Video) Adrenal Gland Ultrasound Normal Vs Abnormal Image Appearances | Cyst, Adenoma, Pheochromocytoma USG

The left phrenicoabdominal vein, seen in the near field or ventral aspect of the adrenal gland and transecting it into equal cranial and caudal poles,¹ is an inconsistent finding using gray-scale 2D imaging but, when present, helps confirm the localization of the left adrenal gland.

In dogs, the transducer motion for finding the left adrenal gland starts lateral in the long axis of the left kidney. Angle medial (nondistance motion) to the level of the aorta and find the celiac, cranial mesenteric, and left renal arteries. Often you will find the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland and 2 of those arteries; all 3 arteries will not necessarily be in the same imaging plane.

Once you have the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland, rotate the transducer in a clockwise direction from 12 to 1 o’clock (about 10°) to bring the left adrenal gland into long axis (Figure 1). Identification of the left phrenicoabdominal vein along the ventral (near field) margin of the middle of the left adrenal gland is confirmation that you are evaluating the left adrenal gland.

In cats, the celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries are used as the target vessels for finding the left adrenal gland. Angle the transducer medial to the left kidney and move ventral to the long axis of the aorta, finding the celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries as two rounded anechoic structures adjacent to each other in the craniocaudal axis (the celiac artery is cranial to the cranial mesenteric artery). The left adrenal gland (hypoechoic) will be in the retroperitoneal fat (hyperechoic), adjacent to and in the near field relative to these vessels. Occasionally the left phrenicoabdominal vein can be seen.

It is uncommon to see a distinct cortex and medulla in cats unless using a high-resolution linear transducer (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4. Longitudinal axis view of the left adrenal gland of a cat using a linear transducer. Note the left adrenal gland delineated by the 2 calipers. The celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries are not seen in this image.

Right Adrenal Gland

The right adrenal gland is located ventral and lateral to the caudal vena cava. In dogs, the adrenal gland is in contact with the caudal vena cava (Figure 5).^1,4,5 In cats, it can be further away, separated from the caudal vena cava by retroperitoneal fat (Figure 6).

FIGURE 5. Transverse plane CT image at the level of the right adrenal gland (*) of a dog obtained after IV contrast medium administration. Note the normal lateral and slightly dorsal anatomic location of the right adrenal gland relative to the caudal vena cava.

FIGURE 6. Longitudinal axis view of the right adrenal gland (*) of a cat depicting the separation between the right adrenal gland and caudal vena cava due to retroperitoneal fat (white arrowheads).

The right adrenal gland is located medial to the right kidney in the dog. In the cat, it is craniomedial to the right kidney, located along the caudal vena cava between the cranial pole of the right kidney and the caudate lobe of the liver.

The right phrenicoabdominal vein is ventral (near field) to the right adrenal gland when it is visualized. It will be seen less frequently than the left phrenicoabdominal vein adjacent to the left adrenal gland.

With the right kidney in long axis, angle the transducer medial to the kidney and identify the caudal vena cava. Angle the transducer lateral to the caudal vena cava slowly, and the adrenal gland will be parallel to or at a 30° angle relative to the long axis of the caudal vena cava. If at an angle, the caudal pole of the adrenal gland will be further away from the caudal vena cava (Figure 7).

FIGURE 7. Longitudinal axis view (A) without and (B) with color Doppler of the V-shaped right adrenal gland of a dog, adjacent to the caudal vena cava.

Normal Ultrasonographic Features

The left adrenal gland has variable shape in dogs (Figure 8) but is consistently oval or bean shaped in cats (Figure 4).⁶

The shapes seen in small-breed dogs include a dumbbell or biconcave disc shape (similar to a cross-section of a red blood cell). In medium- and large-breed dogs, the left adrenal gland may have a pancake or lawn-chair shape (Figure 8). All of these shapes are considered normal variants.

(Video) Anatomy and Imaging of Adrenal Glands

FIGURE 8. Longitudinal axis views of normal variations of the shape of the left adrenal gland in 5 different dogs. (A) “Lawn chair.” (B) Flattened pancake. (C and D) Biconcave discs with more of an indention in the region of the phrenicoabdominal vein. (E) Near perpendicular shape between the cranial and caudal pole of the left adrenal gland.

In dogs, the adrenal gland length and width are variable; however, a caudal pole width of 0.6 to 0.74 cm has been shown to be normal.^2,3,7,8 Recent literature has suggested that the thickness of the caudal pole of the adrenal gland in the sagittal plane is correlated to the size of the dog: ≤0.54 cm for dogs <10 kg, ≤0.68 cm for dogs 10 to 30 kg, and ≤0.8 cm for dogs >30 kg.⁹ Adrenal gland length has not been correlated with the age or size of dogs; therefore, the caudal pole measurement is the key to determining enlargement of the adrenal glands in the dog.^2,3,7,8

The normal width and/or height of the left adrenal gland in cats is 0.43 ± 0.03 cm.^2,3,10

The left adrenal gland in dogs is hypoechoic relative to the surrounding retroperitoneal fat, and often a hyperechoic oval stripe can be visualized in the middle of the gland. This stripe is assumed to be the delineation between the adrenal medulla (hypoechoic) and outer cortex (hypoechoic).^2,3

The right adrenal shape is typically evaluated in long axis and is oval in small dogs and more of a pancake in medium- and large-breed dogs. However, the true shape of the right adrenal gland is a V (Figure 9). In cats, the normal shape for the right adrenal gland is an oval or bean shape.

FIGURE 9. Longitudinal axis view of the right adrenal gland (white arrowheads) of a dog depicting the normal V-shape.

Pathology of the Adrenal Gland

Small adrenal glands can be seen in dogs and cats with iatrogenic or spontaneous hypoadrenocorticism (Figure 10).^2,3,11,12

FIGURE 10. Longitudinal axis views of the (A) right and (B) left adrenal glands of a dog with iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism. Note the small size of both adrenal glands, measuring approximately 0.3 cm in height.

The adrenal glands of dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism can be normal sized, be bilaterally enlarged (hypertrophic) with a normal shape and increased caudal pole width/height (Figure 11), or have nodular hyperplasia.^{2,3,7,13–15} Often there is an accompanying steroid-induced hepatopathy, such as a generalized increase in echogenicity, hypoechoic nodules that are ill-defined, hyperattenuation of the ultrasound beam, and biliary debris (Figure 12).^2,3,16–19

FIGURE 11. Longitudinal axis view of the left adrenal gland of a dog with a mildly enlarged caudal pole (calipers), measuring 0.84 cm in height. Bilateral adrenomegaly (>0.8 cm caudal pole widths) has been seen in dogs with pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease.

FIGURE 12. Longitudinal axis views of the right division of the liver in a dog diagnosed with vacuolar hepatopathy. Note the diminished portal wall markings that are consistent with a hyperechoic hepatic parenchyma.

Focal enlargement, such as hyperechoic or hypoechoic nodules, can be present in the adrenal glands and can represent benign or malignant lesions (Figure 13).^7,13–15

FIGURE 13. Longitudinal axis view of the left adrenal gland of a dog with an oval, well-defined, hyperechoic nodule in the caudal pole of the adrenal gland. This nodule is presumed to be secondary to hyperplasia or myelolipoma; however, an adenoma cannot be ruled out.

(Video) Kidney and adrenal glands ultrasound - Lesion in the projection of the adrenal gland

Benign adenomas can be unilateral or bilateral and functional (glucocorticoid secreting) or nonfunctional.^2,3,20,21

Marked enlargement >2 cm of the adrenal gland is usually associated with malignant etiologies, such as adenocarcinomas or pheochromocytomas (Figure 14). Adenomas and adenocarcinomas are more likely to be mineralized,^22,23 and malignant tumors often invade the phrenicoabdominal vein and/or caudal vena cava (Figure 15).^{2,3,20–22,24}

FIGURE 14. Longitudinal axis view of a left adrenal gland pheochromocytoma in a dog. Note the misshapen adrenal gland, distorted architecture, and heterogeneous appearance. This mass measures 7 × 5.5 cm. The caudal vena cava should be evaluated for tumor thrombus invasion.

FIGURE 15. Images of a dog diagnosed with left adrenal gland pheochromocytoma. (A) Transverse and (B) dorsal plane CT images of a dog at the level of a left adrenal gland mass (*) after IV contrast medium administration. Note the close association between the mass and the caudal vena cava and aorta. (C) Longitudinal axis ultrasonographic image of the same left adrenal gland mass (white arrow); the mass is seen extending into the adjacent phrenicoabdominal vein (white arrowhead).

Mineralization of the adrenal glands in cats is an age-related change that has not been reported to have clinical significance (Figure 16).^13,25

FIGURE 16. (A) Right lateral abdominal radiograph of a 14-year-old cat. Note the poorly circumscribed, mineral-opacity structures (white arrowheads) within the cranial retroperitoneal space. These are bilaterally mineralized adrenal glands. Also, within the renal diverticular regions, immediately caudal to the bilaterally mineralized adrenal glands, there are multifocal, faint, linear mineral opaque structures, representing renal diverticular mineralization. (B) Longitudinal axis view of the right adrenal gland of the same cat. Note the hyperechoic right adrenal gland (calipers) with distal acoustic shadowing consistent with mineralization.

Adrenal tumors are much rarer in cats than in dogs; however, aldosterone-secreting tumors, resulting in Conn’s syndrome, have been reported (Figure 17).^2,3,26–32

FIGURE 17. Longitudinal axis view of the left adrenal gland of a cat diagnosed with an aldosterone-secreting tumor. Note the enlarged and distorted shape of the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland.

Summary

The vascular anatomy is key to adrenal gland localization. The ability to routinely identify the adrenal glands is a standard part of the complete abdominal ultrasound evaluation. The most common observed abnormality of the adrenal glands is enlargement, which can take the form of hyperplasia, nodules, and masses. In cats, mineralization is seen as an incidental age-related change.

References

Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Guide to the Dissection of the Dog. 8th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2017.
Mattoon J, Nyland T. Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2015.
Penninck DG, d’Anjou M. Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography. 2nd ed. Ames: Wiley Blackwell; 2015.
Voorhout G. X-ray-computed tomography, nephrotomography, and ultrasonography of the adrenal glands of healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 1990;51(4):625-631.
Barthez PY, Nyland TG, Feldman EC. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands in dogs. JAVMA 1995;207(9):1180-1183.
Combes A, Vandermeulen E, Duchateau L, et al. Ultrasonographic measurements of adrenal glands in cats with hyperthyroidism. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2012;53(2):210-216.
Grooters AM, Biller DS, Theisen SK, Miyabayashi T. Ultrasonographic characteristics of the adrenal glands in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: comparison with normal dogs. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10(3):110-115.
Choi J, Kim H, Yoon J. Ultrasonographic adrenal gland measurements in clinically normal small breed dogs and comparison with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. J Vet Med Sci 2011;73(8):985-989.
Soulsby S, Holland M, Hudson JA, Behrend EN. Ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal gland size compared to body weight in normal dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2015;56(3):317-326.
Cartee RL, Finn-Bodner ST, Gray BW. Ultrasonography of the normal feline adrenal gland. J Diagn Med Sonogr 1993;9:327-330.
Hoerauf A, Reusch C. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands in six dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. JAAHA 1999;35(3):214-218.
Wenger M, Mueller C, Kook PH, Reusch CE. Ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal glands in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism or mimicking diseases. Vet Rec 2010;167(6):207-210.
Howell JM, Pickering CM. Calcium deposits in the adrenal glands of dogs and cats. J Comp Pathol 1964;74:280-285.
Kantrowitz BM, Nyland TG, Feldman EC. Adrenal ultrasonography in the dog: detection of tumors and hyperplasia in hyperadrenocorticism. Vet Radiol 1986;27:91-96.
Gould SM, Baines EA, Mannion PA, et al. Use of endogenous ACTH concentration and adrenal ultrasonography to distinguish the cause of canine hyperadrenocorticism. J Small Anim Pract 2001;42(3):113-121.
Biller DS, Kantrowitz B, Miyabayashi T. Ultrasonography of diffuse liver disease. A review. J Vet Intern Med 1992;6(2):71-76.
O’Brien RT, Zagzebski JA, Lu ZF, Steinberg H. Measurement of acoustic backscatter and attenuation in the liver of dogs with experimentally induced steroid hepatopathy. Am J Vet Res 1996;57(12):1690-1694.
Lu ZF, Zagzebski JA, O’Brien RT, Steinberg H. Ultrasound attenuation and backscatter in the liver during prednisone administration. Ultrasound Med Biol 1997;23(1):1-8.
Syakalima M, Takiguchi M, Yasuda J, et al. Comparison of attenuation and liver-kidney contrast of liver ultrasonographs with histology and biochemistry in dogs with experimentally induced steroid hepatopathy. Vet Q 1998;20(1):18-22.
Gilson SD, Withrow SJ, Wheeler SL, Twedt DC. Pheochromocytoma in 50 dogs. J Vet Intern Med 1994;8(3):228-232.
Barthez PY, Marks SL, Woo J, et al. Pheochromocytoma in dogs: 61 cases (1984-1995). J Vet Intern Med 1997;11(5):272-278.
Besso JG, Penninck DG, Gliatto JM. Retrospective ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal lesions in 26 dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1997;38(6):448-455.
Reusch CE, Feldman EC. Canine hyperadrenocorticism due to adrenocortical neoplasia. Pretreatment evaluation of 41 dogs. J Vet Intern Med 1991;5(1):3-10.
Davis MK, Schochet RA, Wrigley R. Ultrasonographic identification of vascular invasion by adrenal tumors in dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2012;53(4):442-445.
Herbach N, Wiele K, Konietschke U, Hermanns W. Pathologic alterations of canine and feline adrenal glands. Open J Pathol 2016;6(3):140-153.
Moore LE, Biller DS, Smith TA. Use of abdominal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism in a cat. JAVMA 2000;217(2):213-215, 197.
Nelson RW, Feldman EC, Smith MC. Hyperadrenocorticism in cats: seven cases (1978-1987). JAVMA 1988;193(2):245-250.
Immink WF, van Toor AJ, Vos JH, et al. Hyperadrenocorticism in four cats. Vet Q 1992;14(3):81-85.
Duesberg C, Peterson ME. Adrenal disorders in cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1997;27(2):321-347.
DeClue AE, Breshears LA, Pardo ID, et al. Hyperaldosteronism and hyperprogesteronism in a cat with an adrenal cortical carcinoma. J Vet Intern Med 2005;19(3):355-358.
Ash RA, Harvey AM, Tasker S. Primary hyperaldosteronism in the cat: a series of 13 cases. J Feline Med Surg 2005;7(3):173-182.
Ahn A. Hyperaldosteronism in cats. Semin Vet Med Surg (Small Anim) 1994;9(3):153-157.