Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXXI, Issue 1
Written by Dragoș-Marian DUMITRAȘCU, Seralp UZUN, Florin DUMITRESCU, Iuliana IONAȘCU, Nicoleta Andreea MINCĂ, Elvira GAGNIUC, Niculae TUDOR, Dorin ȚOGOE, Aleksandra KURKOWSKA
Pheochromocytomas are rare adrenal medullary tumours in dogs, often associated with severe systemic effects due to catecholamine secretion. This report details a six-year-old spayed mixed-breed dog presented for a corneal melting ulcer, where polyuria-polydipsia prompted further investigations. Biochemical tests showed low serum cortisol (1.5 μg/dL) and cTSH (<2.5 ng/dL), with no other abnormalities. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a left adrenal mass adherent to the kidney and caudal vena cava, further confirmed by CT to involve significant vascular structures. Surgical intervention included total nephrectomy, adrenal mass excision, and vena cava reconstruction. Despite the technically successful surgery, the patient succumbed to postoperative cardiovascular complications (severe arrhythmia and hypertensive crisis) within hours after surgery. Histopathology confirmed pheochromocytoma without renal infiltration. This case highlights the essential role of advanced imaging in diagnosis and surgical planning and underscores the perioperative risks of managing such aggressive tumours.
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