Introduction

The hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), or Cushing’s syndrome, presents clinical signs and biochemical alterations because of chronic overexposure to glucocorticoids. When its origins are adrenal, we can mostly relate HAC with neoplasm presence, carcinoma or adenoma, and rarely with bilateral presentation.

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to report a case of successful treatment of laparoscopic adrenalectomy of adrenocortical carcinoma in a dog.

Methods

A 9-year-old beagle, bitch, 12 kg weight, showed polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, pendular abdomen, thin and dark skin, lumbar alopecic areas and lethargy. Low-dose dexamethasone test was carried out then and showed cortisol concentrations higher than 1.5 µg dL^-1, 50% lower than basal concentration 4 hours after dexamethasone application, and again after 8 hours of application. The team also performed endogenous ACTH dosing, obtaining value higher than 10 pg ml^-1. On abdominal radiographic examination, we noted mild adrenal enlargement, and by ultrasonography, it was possible to identify adrenal asymmetry and right adrenal enlargement (2.8 x 2 x 2.15 cm) in relation with the left gland (2 x 1 x 1.5 cm). As a treatment for adrenal neoplasm-dependent HAC, we performed the laparoscopic right adrenalectomy using three trocars.

Results

The dog had an excellent recovery, and the team discharged it 48 hours after the procedure. Its signs of hyperadrenocorticism disappeared about two weeks after the surgery. One year after having the procedure, the animal is well and has no signs of tumor recurrence and Cushing’s syndrome.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was effective of total right adrenalectomy as treatment form of an adrenocortical carcinoma.