North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head is the best imaging modality to confirm suspected acromegaly in a diabetic cat due to its high sensitivity in visualizing soft tissue structures, particularly the pituitary gland. Acromegaly is often caused by a growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumor, leading to physical changes such as facial enlargement and thickened extremities. MRI provides detailed images of the brain and pituitary gland, allowing for the assessment of any enlargement or abnormal growths that are characteristic of this condition.

Other imaging modalities, while useful in different contexts, do not offer the same level of detail for identifying pituitary abnormalities. A CT scan of the abdomen would primarily be used to evaluate abdominal structures and would not visualize the pituitary effectively. Ultrasound of the neck is typically for examining thyroid or parathyroid issues, not directly evaluating the pituitary gland. Meanwhile, abdominal ultrasound could help assess for pancreatic abnormalities or other organ changes associated with diabetes but would not confirm the presence of a pituitary tumor indicative of acromegaly. Thus, MRI of the head is the most appropriate choice for confirming this diagnosis in a diabetic cat.