Ultrasonographic technique and appearance of adrenal gland in neonatal foals: a pilot study

Abnormal adrenal activity is involved in several neonatal diseases. Objectives of this pilot study were to assess the feasibility to investigate the adrenal gland in neonatal foals using the sonographic technique and to describe the ultrasonographic appearance. Eighteen neonatal foals less than 10 days of age were included in this study. Adrenal gland ultrasound was performed with a transcutaneous abdominal approach; anatomic localization, shape, and appearance were recorded. The right and left adrenal glands were located medial and cranial to kidney's hilus, between kidney and the caudal vena cava and ventral to the aorta, respectively. The right had a peanut shape in the majority; the left varied from crescent to oval-elliptic shapes. Ultrasonographically, the cortex (hypoechogenic) was well differentiated from the medulla (echogenic), except in three foals. Adrenal glands can be assessed consistently using abdominal ultrasonography in foals.