Computed Tomographic Imaging Characteristics of the Thyroid Glands in Clinically Normal Van Cats

Abstract

This study was performed to obtain morphometric and volumetric measurements of thyroid glands of Van Cats, and to determine homotypical variations and biometric differences between the genders.Thyroid gland computed tomography (CT) images obtained from a total of 16 clinically healthy adult Van Cats (8 males, 8 females) were used in the study. Measurements were made on the transverse, sagittal, and dorsal sections of both right and left thyroid gland CT images. Volumes of the thyroid lobes were estimated using transverse ellipse, maximum ellipse, and planimetry methods. Statistical analyses were then performed on the obtained morphometric and volumetric values. In terms of sexual dimorphism in Van Cats, morphometric and volumetric measurement values of the thyroid gland were found to be larger in male cats than in females (P<0.05). When the parameters were inspected in terms of homotypical variations, measured values for the right thyroid lobes were found to be larger compared to the left thyroid lobe values in both male and female cats. Average length, width, height values for male thyroid glands were 25.41 +/- 1.63 mm, 2.49 +/- 0.09 mm, and 4.54 +/- 0.21 mm, respectively, while the same values were 19.57 +/- 0.92 mm, 2.06 +/- 0.17 mm, and 4.19 +/- 0.21 for female cats, respectively. Average thyroid gland volumes calculated through transverse ellipse, maximum ellipse, and planimetry values were 149.46 +/- 19.71 mm(3), 154.80 +/- 19.70 mm(3), and 166.86 +/- 19.04 mm(3) for males, respectively. The female counterparts for these values were 89.52 +/- 11.82 mm(3), 92.31 +/- 11.90 mm(3), 109.40 +/- 6.02 mm(3), respectively. As a result, various parameters on CT images of thyroid glands in clinically healthy Van Cats were measured and the results were statistically evaluated between the genders. It is thought that the results will be useful in the evaluation of abnormal thyroid glands in Van Cats CT images in clinical practices.