Prevalence of pituitary tumors among diabetic cats with insulin resistance.
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence of pituitary tumors, detectable by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, in cats with insulin resistance suspected to have acromegaly or hyperadrenocorticism versus cats with well-controlled diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
16 cats with insulin resistance that were also suspected to have acromegaly (n = 12) or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (4) and 8 cats with well-controlled diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Computed tomography was performed on all 16 cats with insulin resistance and 2 cats in which diabetes mellitus was well-controlled. The remaining 6 cats in which diabetes mellitus was well-controlled underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Images were obtained before and immediately after i.v. administration of contrast medium.


RESULTS
Computed tomography revealed a mass in the region of the pituitary gland in all 16 cats with insulin resistance. Maximum width of the masses ranged from 4.4 to 12.7 mm; maximum height ranged from 3.1 to 12.6 mm. Results of computed tomography performed on 2 cats with well-controlled diabetes and magnetic resonance imaging performed on the remaining 6 cats were considered normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that cats with insulin resistance suspected to have acromegaly or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism are likely to have a pituitary mass detectable by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Elliott
D A
DA
Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Feldman
E C
EC
Koblik
P D
PD
Samii
V F
VF
Nelson
R W
RW
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary