Comparative evaluation of imaging quality of the adrenal artery in experimental animals

The imaging quality of the adrenal arteries in experimental animals is assessed by the data of angiography for further study of different embolization techniques. The study was performed on the material of sexually mature rabbits (n=5) and pigs (n=5). All animals underwent multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) in angiography mode via Briliance 64 (Phillips) apparatus followed by invasive angiography of aorta and visceral arteries using mobile C-arms apparatus (Siemens). Intergroup analysis, involving the results of MSCT-angiography and invasive angiography of aorta and visceral arteries, revealed unsuitability of rabbits for selective catheterization of the adrenal arteries due to their small diameter. Nevertheless, invasive arteriography in pigs ensures bilateral imaging of the main branches of arteries supplying the adrenal glands to be considered suitable for the study of embolization techniques.

1. Gagner M, Lacroix A, Bolté E. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in Cushing’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma. N Engl J Med. 1992 Oct 1;327(14):1033. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199210013271417

2. Di Dalmazi G, Berr CM, Fassnacht M, Beuschlein F, Reincke M. Adrenal function after adrenalectomy for subclinical hypercortisolism and Cushing’s syndrome: a systematic review of the literature. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Aug;99(8):2637–45. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-1401

3. Kulshreshtha B, Arora A, Aggarwal A, Bhardwaj M. Prolonged adrenal insufficiency after unilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing’s Syndrome. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2015 May- Jun;19(3):430–2. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.152794

4. Fischer E, Hanslik G, Pallauf A, Degenhart C, Linsenmaier U, Beuschlein F, Bidlingmaier M, Mussack T, Ladurner R, Hallfeldt K, Quinkler M, Reincke M. Prolonged zona glomerulosa insufficiency causing hyperkalemia in primary aldosteronism after adrenalectomy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Nov;97(11):3965–73. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-2234

5. Park KS, Kim JH, Ku EJ, Hong AR, Moon MK, Choi SH, Shin CS, Kim SW, Kim SY. Clinical risk factors of postoperative hyperkalemia after adrenalectomy in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma. Eur J Endocrinol. 2015 Jun;172(6):725–31. doi: 10.1530/EJE-15-0074

6. Heinrich DA, Adolf C, Holler F, Lechner B, Schneider H, Riester A, Nirschl N, Sturm L, Wang X, Ladurner R, Seidensticker M, Bidlingmaier M, Beuschlein F, Reincke M. Adrenal Insufficiency After Unilateral Adrenalectomy in Primary Aldosteronism: Long-Term Outcome and Clinical Impact. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Nov 1;104(11):5658–64. doi: 10.1210/jc.2019-00996

7. Zhou Y, Wang D, Liu Q, Hou J, Wang P. Case report: Percutaneous adrenal arterial embolization cures resistant hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 Oct 11;9:1013426. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1013426

8. Van der Walt IS, Brown M, Lodh S. Adrenal gland-sparing transcatheter embolisation of an aldosteronoma for the treatment of refractory hypertension. Radiol Case Rep. 2022 Feb 4;17(4):1088–94. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.01.043

9. Dong H, Zou Y, He J, Deng Y, Chen Y, Song L, Xu B, Gao R, Jiang X. Superselective adrenal arterial embolization for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism: 12-month results from a proof-of-principle trial. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2021 May 1;97(2):976–81. doi: 10.1002/ccd.29554

10. Qiu J, Li N, Xiong HL, Yang J, Li YD, Hu CK, Lai ZQ, Liang NP, Zhang HJ, Jiang XJ, Dong YF. Superselective adrenal arterial embolization for primary aldosteronism without lateralized aldosterone secretion: an efficacy and safety, proof-of-principle study. Hypertens Res. 2023 Mar 3. doi: 10.1038/s41440-023-01236-8

11. Edwards J, Abdou H, Patel N, Madurska MJ, Poe K, Bonin JE, Richmond MJ, Rasmussen TE, Morrison JJ. The functional vascular anatomy of the swine for research. Vascular. 2022 Apr;30(2):392–402. doi: 10.1177/1708538121996500

12. Suzuki K, Nagai H, Hoshino T, Tamate H. The Branching site of the posterior adrenal artery in pigs. Okajimas folia anatomica Japonica. 1985 May; 62 (1): 27–34. doi: 10.2535/ofaj1936.62.1_27