AAEP Annual Convention Las Vegas 2015
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pituitary Gland of Horses With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction

Author(s):
Schott II H.C.,
Pease A.,
Patterson J.S. and
McFarlane D.
In: AAEP Annual Convention - Las Vegas, 2015 by American Association of Equine Practitioners
Updated:
DEC 05, 2015
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can effectively document pituitary gland (PG) and pars intermedia (PI) size as well as detail morphologic changes within the PI of equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). 

1. Introduction

PPID is the most common endocrine disease of aged horses. We hypothesized that enlargement of the PG in PPID-affected horses could be documented by MRI and that pathologic changes within the PI can be graded in a repeatable manner using MR images with results comparable to histological grading.

2. Materials and Methods

MRI was performed immediately prior to euthanasia in 21 horses: 13 with clinical signs of PPID and supportive endocrine test results and four aged and four young non-PPID-affected horses. The PG was removed for direct measurement of weight, height, and length. Total PG and PI areas were measured on midline sagittal MR images and histological sections and compared by correlation analysis. A MRI PI grading system (1–5) was used to grade MR images and mean MRI and histological grades were compared.

3. Results

PGs weighed 1.7 to 10.1 g and included PGs that ranged from 1–5 on both MRI and histological PI grades. Gross tissue, MRI, and histological measurements were highly correlated and mean MRI grade was highly correlated with mean histological grade (r = 0.83, P < .01). Both micro- and macroadenomas could be visualized by MRI. T2-weighted images provided the greatest contrast and anatomical detail. 

4. Discussion

MRI is a useful tool to determine PG and PI size and morphologic changes within the PI of PPID-affected horses.

Acknowledgments

Declaration of Ethics

The Authors declare that they have adhered to the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA.

Conflict of Interest

Drs. Schott and McFarlane are consultants for Boehringer-Ingelheim, Vetmedica, Inc. This project was funded by the Equine Health and Performance Endowed Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

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How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?

Schott II, H. C. et al. (2020) “Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pituitary Gland of Horses With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction”, AAEP Annual Convention - Las Vegas, 2015. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/aaep/aaep-annual-convention-las-vegas-2015/magnetic-resonance-imaging-of-pituitary-gland-of-horses-pituitary-pars-intermedia-dysfunction (Accessed: 01 October 2023).

Author(s)

  • Schott II H.C.

    DVM PhD Dipl ACVIM
    Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, D-202 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University
    Read more about this author

  • Pease A.

    DVM MS Dipl ACVR
    Gail Holmes Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University
    Read more about this author

  • Patterson J.S.

    DVM PhD
    Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University
    Read more about this author
  • D. McFarlane

    McFarlane D.

    DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM
    Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University
    Read more about this author

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