Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal gland: a preliminary report

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.147.1.6828721· OSTI ID:5707259

Moon, Jr, K L; Hricak, H; Crooks, L E; Gooding, C A; Moss, A A; Engelstad, B L; Kaufman, L

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging characteristics of the normal and abnormal adrenal gland were evaluated and compared with findings on computed tomography (CT). Forty-two patients were examined: 36 had normal adrenal glands and 6 had adrenal disease (3 metastatic lesions, 1 pheochromocytoma, and 2 cortical hyperplasia). NMR clearly showed all 42 left adrenals (100%) and 36 right adrenals (86%). In some patients, it appeared to differentiate the adrenal cortex from the medulla. The ability of NMR to detect adrenal disease was similar to that of CT in 6 cases examined. CT demonstrated superior spatial resolution in most cases, but NMR provided superior soft-tissue contrast. Since NMR does not involve ionizing radiation and provides excellent soft-tissue differentiation without contrast material, it has advantages over CT and appears to be a promising modality for imaging of the adrenal gland.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California School of Medicine, San Francisco
• OSTI ID: 5707259
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Vol. 147:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ADRENAL GLANDS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
PATIENTS
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
BODY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
ORGANS
RESOLUTION
RESONANCE
TOMOGRAPHY
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)