Localization of functional adrenal tumors by computed tomography and venous sampling

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.142.2.7054832· OSTI ID:5638411

Dunnick, N R ^[1]; Doppman, J L; Gill, Jr, J R; Strott, C A; Keiser, H R; Brennan, M F

---

1. National Inst. of Health, Bethesda, MD

Fifty-eight patients with functional lesions of the adrenal glands underwent radiographic evaluation. Twenty-eight patients had primary aldosteronism (Conn syndrome), 20 had Cushing syndrome, and 10 had pheochromocytoma. Computed tomography (CT) correctly identified adrenal tumors in 11 (61%) of 18 patients with aldosteronomas, 6 of 6 patients with benign cortisol-producing adrenal tumors, and 5 (83%) of 6 patients with pheochromocytomas. No false-positive diagnoses were encountered among patients with adrenal adenomas. Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia appeared on CT scans as normal or prominent adrenal glands with a normal configuration; however, CT was not able to exclude the presence of small adenomas. Adrenal venous sampling was correct in each case, and reliably distinguished adrenal tumors from hyperplasia. Recurrent pheochromocytomas were the most difficult to loclize on CT due to the surgical changes in the region of the adrenals and the frequent extra-adrenal locations.

• OSTI ID: 5638411
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 142:2; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ADRENAL GLANDS
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CUSHING SYNDROME
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
TOMOGRAPHY