title: Corticosterone- and aldosterone-secreting adrenocortical tumor in a dog.
abstract: A dog was evaluated for clinical signs suggestive of hypercortisolemia. Serum biochemical testing revealed hypernatremia and hypokalemia. Serum cortisol concentration after injection of ACTH was less than the lower reference limit. An adrenal gland tumor was visualized via ultrasonography and computed tomography. Histologic examination confirmed that the mass was an adrenocortical carcinoma. Excess adrenal secretion of corticosterone was hypothesized to be the cause of the signs of glucocorticoid excess. Serum corticosterone secretion was high before and after ACTH injection, compared with clinically normal dogs and dogs with hypercortisolemia and classic hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperaldosteronemia was detected as well. Treatment with mitotane was instituted and successful for a period of 4-months until the dog was euthanatized for neurologic problems that were most likely unrelated to endocrine disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Behrend
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Weigand
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.forename: Kent R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Refsal
authors.forename: Diane W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kemppainen
mesh_terms: D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008939:Mitotane / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000450:Aldosterone; D008939:Mitotane; D003345:Corticosterone