Use of helical computed tomography for measurement of thyroid glands in clinically normal cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the dimensions and volume of thyroid tissue in clinically normal cats by use of computed tomography.


METHODS
8 cats.


METHODS
Helical computed tomography images (2-mm collimation) were acquired from the cranial aspect of the second cervical vertebra through the caudal aspect of the fourth cervical vertebra. Data were acquired before contrast medium administration (n = 7 cats) and immediately after contrast medium enhancement (1 cat). Length, width, and height measurements of each thyroid lobe were made by use of transverse, dorsal, and sagittal plane images. Thyroid lobe volume was estimated by use of 3 methods.


RESULTS
All thyroid lobes were histologically normal. Mean dimensions for a thyroid lobe were 16.5 x 2.00 x 4.31 mm (length x width x height) using only data from transverse images. Mean thyroid lobar volume was 113.75 mm(3) using the sum of areas method. Mean total volume of thyroid tissue was 215.25 mm(3) using the sum of areas method.


CONCLUSIONS
Results may be useful for computed tomography evaluation of abnormal thyroid glands in cats, which warrants investigation.
Drost
Wm Tod
WT
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43210, USA.
Mattoon
John S
JS
Weisbrode
Steven E
SE
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000662:veterinary*