Vol 63, No 1 (2012)
Review paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-02-29
Adrenal imaging
Joanna Podgórska, Andrzej Cieszanowski, Tomasz Bednarczuk
Endokrynol Pol 2012;63(1):71-81.
Vol 63, No 1 (2012)
Reviews — Postgraduate Education
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-02-29
Abstract
The differentiation of adrenal nodules is wide and varies from primary benign neoplasia, through hormone secreting lesions, to primary and secondary malignant masses. With the rapid development of cross-sectional imaging, incidental detection of adrenal nodules has become an everyday practice, leaving clinicians with the necessity of further investigation. In this article, we present the current possibilities of adrenal gland imaging and we propose a diagnostic schema for differential diagnosis of incidentaloma. Non-contrast enhanced
computer tomography (CT) is a modality of choice used for the differential diagnosis of adrenal lesions. It allows the detection of 95% of adrenal masses, and the characterisation of most of them. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good modality for cases in which CT
examination cannot determine the character of an adrenal tumour. Nuclear medicine study with the use of Iodine-131 meta iodobenzylguanidine(MIBG) is helpful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET–CT)
is considered a useful method in patients with a known malignancy history. Ultrasound has a low sensitivity for the detection of small
lesions and is not capable of reliable characterisation of visualised masses. However, this technique plays an important role in the follow-up
of non-hypersecreting adrenal lesions.
Abstract
The differentiation of adrenal nodules is wide and varies from primary benign neoplasia, through hormone secreting lesions, to primary and secondary malignant masses. With the rapid development of cross-sectional imaging, incidental detection of adrenal nodules has become an everyday practice, leaving clinicians with the necessity of further investigation. In this article, we present the current possibilities of adrenal gland imaging and we propose a diagnostic schema for differential diagnosis of incidentaloma. Non-contrast enhanced
computer tomography (CT) is a modality of choice used for the differential diagnosis of adrenal lesions. It allows the detection of 95% of adrenal masses, and the characterisation of most of them. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good modality for cases in which CT
examination cannot determine the character of an adrenal tumour. Nuclear medicine study with the use of Iodine-131 meta iodobenzylguanidine(MIBG) is helpful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET–CT)
is considered a useful method in patients with a known malignancy history. Ultrasound has a low sensitivity for the detection of small
lesions and is not capable of reliable characterisation of visualised masses. However, this technique plays an important role in the follow-up
of non-hypersecreting adrenal lesions.
Keywords
adrenal gland; adrenal adenoma; incidentaloma; adrenal imaging
Title
Adrenal imaging
Journal
Endokrynologia Polska
Issue
Vol 63, No 1 (2012)
Article type
Review paper
Pages
71-81
Published online
2012-02-29
Page views
812
Article views/downloads
2522
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2012;63(1):71-81.
Keywords
adrenal gland
adrenal adenoma
incidentaloma
adrenal imaging
Authors
Joanna Podgórska
Andrzej Cieszanowski
Tomasz Bednarczuk
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