Surgical management of adrenal gland tumors with and without associated tumor thrombi in dogs: 40 cases (1994-2001).
OBJECTIVE
To compare pathologic findings and results of adrenalectomy for adrenal gland tumors in dogs with and without vena caval tumor thrombi.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
40 dogs with adrenal gland tumors.


METHODS
Medical records were examined. An exact logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between tumor type or right-sided versus left-sided tumor involvement and development of caval tumor thrombi and associations between tumor thrombi, tumor type, or right- versus left-sided location and perioperative complications and mortality rate. Survival was compared between dogs with and without tumor thrombi.


RESULTS
Caval thrombi were detected in 25% of dogs, including 3 of 28 (11%) dogs with an adrenocortical tumor and 6 of 11 dogs with a pheochromocytoma. A caval tumor thrombus was detected in 6 of 17 right-sided and 4 of 20 left-sided tumors. Sensitivity and specificity of abdominal ultrasonography for detection of caval thrombi were 80 and 90%, respectively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications developed in 15 and 51% of dogs, respectively. The mortality rate was 22%. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity and mortality rates between dogs with and without tumor thrombi.


CONCLUSIONS
Caval thrombi associated with adrenal gland tumors are amenable to adrenalectomy and thrombectomy without significantly increased perioperative morbidity and mortality rates, assuming the surgeon is experienced in appropriate techniques.
Kyles
Andrew E
AE
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Feldman
Edward C
EC
De Cock
Hilde E V
HE
Kass
Philip H
PH
Mathews
Kyle G
KG
Hardie
Elizabeth M
EM
Nelson
Richard W
RW
Ilkiw
Janet E
JE
Gregory
Clare R
CR
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014684:Venae Cavae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*