Imaging presentation of adrenal glands in female pseudohermaphroditism

Objective： To discuss imaging features of the adrenal glands in female pseudohermaphroditism. Methods： 11 cases of female pseudohermaphroditism （8-27 years old） were analyzed retrospectively. Results： In 9 of the 11 patients with female pseudohermaphroditism who did no receive hormone replacement therapy, both internal and external branches of bilateral adrenal glands were found to be thickened, prolonged and twisted, and in 2 of the 9 patients they were found to be macronodularly hyperplasic. In one of the remaining two patients who had received long-term hormone replacement therapy, the adrenal glands were not thickened or twisted, though prolonged; and in the other patient imaging presentation of the adrenal glands was the same as that of those who did not receive hormone replacement therapy, but with co-existence of adrenal myelolipoma. Among the 11 patients agenesis of the uterus and the vagina was found in 4 cases. Conclusion： Female pseudohermaphroditism is a hereditary disease, where hyperplasia of the adrenal glands and agenesis of the uterus and the vagina were secondary. Early detection of these abnormalities by imageology would prove to be helpful in early detection and treatment of the condition.

Imaging presentation of adrenal glands in female pseudohermaphroditism

Objective: To discuss imaging features of the adrenal glands in female pseudo-hermaphroditism. Methods: 11 cases of female pseudohermaphroditism (8-27 years old) were analyzed retrospectively. Results: In 9 of the 11 patients with female pseudohermaphroditism who did no receive hormone replacement therapy, both internal and external branches of bilateral adrenal glands were found to be thickened, prolonged and twisted, and in 2 of the 9 patients they were found to be macronodularly hyperplasic. In one of the remaining two patients who had received long-term hormone replacement therapy, the adrenal glands were not thickened or twisted, though prolonged; and in the other patient imaging presentation of the adrenal glands was the same as that of those who did not receive hormone replacement therapy, but with co-existence of adrenal myelolipoma. Among the 11 patients agenesis of the uterus and the vagina was found in 4 cases. Conclusion: Female pseudohermaphroditism is a hereditary disease, where hyperplasia of the adrenal glands and agenesis of the uterus and the vagina were secondary. Early detection of these abnormalities by imageology would prove to be helpful in early detection and treatment of the condition.