Minor morphologic abnormalities of adrenal glands at CT: prognostic importance in patients with lung cancer

PURPOSE: To determine the prognostic importance of minor morphologic abnormalities of the adrenal glands at computed tomography (CT) in patients with lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the committee on human research; written informed consent was not required. The authors retrospectively identified 197 patients with lung cancer who underwent serial chest or abdominal CT and did not have a focal adrenal mass at baseline CT. Two readers independently classified the morphologic features of each adrenal gland as normal, smoothly enlarged, or nodular at initial CT examination. They separately recorded the presence or absence of metastases to the adrenal glands (ie, any new focal adrenal mass) at final CT examination; a third independent reader arbitrated when interpretations were discordant (n = 11). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess for associations between baseline adrenal gland morphologic features and subsequent development of adrenal metastases. RESULTS: At initial CT, reader 1 classified 253 (64%), 70 (18%), and 71 (18%) of the 394 adrenal glands and reader 2 classified 258 (65%), 45 (11%), and 91 (23%) of these glands as normal, smoothly enlarged, or nodular, respectively. The readers had moderate interobserver agreement regarding the classification of adrenal gland morphologic features (kappa = 0.54). Metastases subsequently developed in 13 adrenal glands in 11 patients. Cox proportional hazard models revealed no significant association between baseline adrenal gland morphologic features and subsequent development of adrenal metastases (P = .50 and P = .20 for readers 1 and 2, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with lung cancer, smooth enlargement or nodularity of the adrenal glands at baseline CT is not associated with increased risk of subsequently developing adrenal metastases.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal glands: a comparison with computed tomography

This investigation compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of normal and abnormal adrenal glands. Thirty normal volunteers were studied with MRI, and the results were compared with a retrospective review of 30 normal CT examinations. CT identified both adrenal glands in all 30 patients. MRI identified both glands in 29 of 30 volunteers. There were no statistically significant differences between the two imaging techniques using chi-square analysis. Twenty-one patients with abnormal adrenal gland(s) detected with CT were also studied with MRI. The abnormalities studied included bilateral hyperplasia (three patients), adenoma (two), myelolipoma (one), adrenal metastases (six), adrenal hemorrhage (two), and neuroblastoma (seven). MRI detected the abnormal adrenal gland(s) in 20 of 21 patients. MRI was unable to detect calcifications in the lesions studied but more clearly showed the relations of adrenal masses to the major vascular structures. MRI demonstrated corticomedullary differentiation in patients with adrenal hyperplasia and in some normal volunteers. The CT and MRI features of the adrenal lesions are discussed.     

Ultrasonography of the normal adrenal glands: a study using linear-array real-time equipment

The adrenal glands were evaluated in 70 normal volunteers using linear-array real-time ultrasonography. All the scanning approaches described for manual B-scanning were used and, on the left side, longitudinal scans along the axillary lines were also performed. The right adrenal gland was imaged in 68 of the 70 volunteers and the left gland in 63. The dynamic capabilities of real-time equipment were of great help for proper localisation and identification of the glands. Changes in the scanning plane demonstrated variations in the adrenal morphology, because different portions of the gland were encountered by the scanning beam.     

Pheochromocytoma: detection by unenhanced CT

During a 2 1/2-year period, 10 patients with suspected pheochromocytoma were evaluated by unenhanced computed tomography (CT). Six adrenal masses, one hyperplastic adrenal gland, and two extraadrenal retroperitoneal masses were detected in seven patients; CT of the adrenals and retroperitoneum was normal in three patients. Scintigraphy with iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) was performed in nine of the 10 patients and corroborated the CT findings in all cases. In the three patients with normal CT and 131I-MIBG scintigraphic findings, follow-up assays of serum catecholamines were normal. In six of the seven patients with abnormal CT scans, surgical and pathologic confirmation was obtained; one patient was lost to follow-up after her CT scan. Unenhanced CT is recommended as the initial localizing procedure in patients with suspected pheochromocytoma, thereby avoiding the small but finite risk of hypertensive crisis associated with intravenous injection of urographic contrast medium.     

肾上腺多层螺旋CT解剖学测量（附90例分析）

目的：采用多层螺旋CT薄层扫描测量肾上腺内、外肢厚度及同层面膈肌脚厚度,并对肾上腺的大体形态进行分类,为肾上腺疾病提供解剖学数据。方法：90例行CT增强扫描,用肝门静脉期（55s）采集数据,应用薄层横断面（2.0mm）重建及冠状面重建。测量肾上腺内、外肢厚度及同层面膈肌脚厚度,并对其进行统计学处理;采用冠状面观察肾上腺的大体形态。结果：左侧肾上腺内肢厚度（4.6±0.9）mm,外肢厚度（4.3±1.1）mm;右侧肾上腺内肢厚度（4.0±0.8）mm,外肢厚度（3.7±0.8）mm;左侧膈肌脚厚度（4.7±1.8）mm,右侧膈肌脚厚度（5.2±1.7）mm。冠状面观察,肾上腺的形态大体可分为3种类型。结论：肾上腺形态不一,但轮廓光整;冠状面重建能很好地显示肾上腺的形态类型。多层螺旋CT能准确测量肾上腺的内外肢厚度及膈肌脚厚度。     

12. Patterns of Adrenal Gland Involvement from Lung Cancer Shown by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Compared to Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose: The frequency of adrenal metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) varies between 4 to 25%. Adrenal metastases are frequently missed (78%) by Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to characterize the patterns of adrenal gland involvement from lung cancer by 18-F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (18FDG-PET).Methods: Retrospective review of patients evaluated for known or suspected lung carcinoma. Results of 18FDG-PET, CT, MRI, and scans were compared.Results: From February 1996 to May 2000, 91 patients with known (85 patients) or suspected (6 patients) lung cancer were evaluated with 18FDG-PET scan. Twenty-two patients (mean age 63, range 38-88 years) had abnormal adrenal glands by either 18FDG-PET (16 patients), CT (12 patients) or MRI (1 patient). In 13 cases 18FDG-PET scan was ordered to clarify CT or MRI findings. Only 7 patients showed adrenal gland involvement: 5 patients (5.5%) with unilateral disease and 2 patients (2.2%) with bilateral disease. PET depicted unsuspected findings in 9 patients: 8 patients (8.8%) with unilateral disease and 1 patient (1.1%) with bilateral disease.(18)FDG-PET upstaged 9 patients from limited (N1M0) to widespread disease (M1), thus obviating surgical intervention.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of 18FDG-PET scanning in revealing unsuspected adrenal metastases in patients with early stages of NSCLC as well as characterizing CT or MRI equivocal adrenal masses.     

Usefulness of standardized uptake values for distinguishing adrenal glands with pheochromocytoma from normal adrenal glands by use of 6-18F-fluorodopamine PET.

6-(18)F-Fluorodopamine ((18)F-FDA) PET is a highly sensitive tool for the localization of pheochromocytoma (PHEO). The aim of this study was to establish cutoff values for pathologic and physiologic adrenal gland tracer uptake. METHODS: (18)F-FDA PET with CT coregistration was performed in 14 patients (10 men and 4 women; age [mean +/- SD], 42.9 +/- 13.3 y) with unilateral adrenal gland PHEO and in 13 control subjects (5 men and 8 women; age, 51.7 +/- 12.5 y) without PHEO. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were compared between adrenal glands with PHEO and normal left adrenal glands in control subjects. RESULTS: (18)F-FDA accumulation was observed in all adrenal glands with PHEO and in 6 of 13 control adrenal glands (P = 0.02). The SUV was higher in adrenal glands with PHEO (mean +/- SD, 16.1 +/- 6.1) than in (18)F-FDA-positive control adrenal glands (7.7 +/- 1.4) (P = 0.005). SUV cutoffs for distinguishing between adrenal glands with PHEO and normal adrenal glands were 7.3 (100% sensitivity) and 10.1 (100% specificity). CONCLUSION: The SUVs of adrenal foci on (18)F-FDA PET facilitate the distinction between adrenal glands with PHEO and normal adrenal glands.     

Computed tomographic evaluation of adrenal glands in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

One hundred thirty-four patients with histo-pathologically proven bronchogenic carcinoma underwent computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and adrenal glands. Prospectively, 23 of the 134 patients had adrenal metastasis, based on CT criteria for enlargement of the gland. Retrospectively, however, some proved to be false positives. In addition, the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis frequently altered the initial staging and the treatment modality. We suggest that valid diagnoses of adrenal metastases on CT scan be made on the basis of altered shape as well as on altered size of the gland.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal glands

Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to the adrenal gland have received considerable attention in recent years. Using high field strength magnets and surface coil technology, images of normal and abnormal adrenal glands have been obtained that compare favorably, and in some instances excel, computed tomography (CT) with respect to both image quality and, to a greater degree, differentiation of pathology. This article reviews the current state of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of normal and abnormal adrenal glands, compares MR with CT imaging, and indicates where NMR spectroscopy has been of greatest value to date in the study of adrenal gland disease.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal glands

Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to the adrenal gland have received considerable attention in recent years. Using high field strength magnets and surface coil technology, images of normal and abnormal adrenal glands have been obtained that compare favorably, and in some instances excel, computed tomography (CT) with respect to both image quality and, to a greater degree, differentiation of pathology. This article reviews the current state of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of normal and abnormal adrenal glands, compares MR with CT imaging, and indicates where NMR spectroscopy has been of greatest value to date in the study of adrenal gland disease.     

CT assessment of encephalic and suprarenal spread of "operable" pulmonary neoplasms. Preliminary results

Computed Tomography (CT) was employed to evaluate the incidence of brain and adrenal gland metastases in 74 patients (not-small cell lung cancer) staged for surgery. Nine patients presented one or more asymptomatic brain metastases, 4 adenocarcinomas, 3 epidermoid, 2 adenosquamous. In 6 cases adrenal gland masses were found, only one of which was confirmed as a secondary lesion at biopsy. The authors conclude that brain CT is useful in the preoperative staging of lung cancers, independent of the histology of the primary lesion. An accurate assessment of the utility of CT of the adrenal glands requires a larger sample of patients due to the high incidence of benign adrenal gland masses.     

CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of adrenal masses. Experience of the technic in 54 neoplasm patients

Cross-sectional CT and US imaging have allowed the visualization of adrenal glands anatomy and abnormalities. In cancer patients a unilateral or bilateral adrenal enlargement may result from metastasis because the adrenal gland is one of the most common locations for metastasis in thoracic and abdominal tumors. We report our experience in 54 patients who underwent adrenal biopsy for unilateral (44 cases) or bilateral (10 cases) masses during CT examination mostly for lung cancer studies. Twenty-nine of 54 patients (53.7%) had metastatic deposits in the enlarged parenchyma. Other lesions included various pathologic conditions such as primary malignant tumors (2 carcinomas, 2 lymphomas, and 1 pheochromoblastoma) (5.5%), pheochromocytomas (3.7%), nonfunctioning adenomas (14.8%), and simple hyperplasias (12.4%). Eight of 10 patients with bilateral enlargement were metastatic; the extant 2 had simple hyperplasia. Biopsy was useless in 5 cases (9.2%), especially in the beginning and due to poor technique. All procedures were carried out with 18 and 19 G needles and under CT guidance, after standard scanning. The posterior approach was initially used, for both right (15%) and left (7.4%) lesions, but 3 pneumothoraces occurred. At present, we prefer transhepatic approach for the right adrenal gland: this access route is, in our experience, the safest and quickest. Left adrenal masses were approached anteriorly through the left hepatic lobe; when possible, in other patients, we used an oblique posterior transrenal approach, even though macroscopic hematuria occurred in 2 patients, without sequelae. We never used trans-splenic approach, even though this access has been described in literature for pancreatic masses. Transhepatic and transrenal CT-guided biopsy for adrenal masses in cancer patients provides, in our opinion, a correct and unquestionable diagnosis of possible metastasis, also for lesions smaller than 3 cm.     

Percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of the adrenal glands

The percutaneous approach to the adrenal glands is impeded by their high paraaortal subphrenic location. Regarding the information conveyed in literature and referring to our experience, a summary of the technique, indication and findings of percutaneous biopsy of the adrenal gland is presented. Percutaneous needle biopsy of the right adrenal gland is most easily performed by lateral transhepatic approach under sonographic guidance, while in biopsy of the left adrenal gland protection of the spleen, kidney, pancreas and stomach can only be achieved by dorsal approach under CT control. At present, the main indication for biopsy of the adrenal gland still is differentiation between metastases and non-functioning adenomas in tumor patients. Adequate technique provided, the sensitivity of punctures of the adrenal gland varies from 80 to 90%. Clinical suspicion of pheochromocytoma is an absolute contraindication for fine needle biopsy.     

Thin section CT of normal pituitary glands

In order to better understand the CT appearance of the normal pituitary gland, we scrutinized the pituitary glands of 55 patients who had no clinical indication of pituitary abnormality. The superior surface of the pituitary gland was convex in 9 cases (16.4%), flat in 16 (29.1%), and concave in 30 (54.5%). All but one of the glands with upward convexity belonged to patients less than 40 years old. The height of the pituitary glands was from 2 mm to 7 mm in 48 (87.3%) and 7 mm to 9.1 mm in 7 (12.7%); all but one case was less than 40 years old. Although earlier reports have suggested the presence of a pituitary microadenoma when the gland has a convexity of its superior surface or is more than 7 mm in height, these findings can be seen in normal pituitary glands, particularly in younger individuals. Therefore, pituitary microadenoma should be diagnosed carefully in younger patients. The low density area frequently seen in the superior aspect of pituitary glands on axial scans was found to result from the concave superior surface of the gland. The pituitary stalk was off the midline in five patients (9%). Shifting of the pituitary stalk can be seen in the normal pituitary gland and is not always characteristic of microadenoma.     

Computed tomography of the normal adrenal glands: correlative study with autopsy specimens.

Computed tomography (CT) visualization of both adrenal glands was possible in 99 of 100 cases using a fast (2 sec) scanner. Previously reported CT variants of normal adrenal glands correlated well with transverse sections of 20 autopsy specimens.     

Difficulties in the prospective diagnosis of functional adrenal diseases by CT

The accuracy of prospective diagnosis of functional adrenal disorders by computed tomography (CT) was evaluated in 65 patients strongly suspected of having such disorders. Thirty-seven patients also underwent adrenal venography and selective adrenal venous sampling. Of the 65 patients, 21 had a hyperfunctioning cortical adenoma, 25 had cortical or medullary hyperplasia, and 11 pheochromocytoma, while 10 had no functional adrenal disease. Diagnosis by CT alone was correct in 66%; diagnosis by CT and venous sampling was correct in 89%. Incorrect prospective CT diagnosis resulted most often from a normal appearance of functionally hyperplastic glands (9 cases), nodular hyperplasia simulating a focal adenoma (8 cases), or an incidental nonfunctioning mass (3 cases). This study emphasizes the need to correlate CT findings with biochemical evaluation and the usefulness of venous sampling in selected cases to avoid inappropriate surgery. When CT is interpreted in correlation with complete biochemical analysis, correct diagnosis can usually be made. A small number of cases may still require adrenal venous sampling.     

Difficulties in the prospective diagnosis of functional adrenal diseases by CT

The accuracy of prospective diagnosis of functional adrenal disorders by computed tomography (CT) was evaluated in 65 patients strongly suspected of having such disorders. Thirty-seven patients also underwent adrenal venography and selective adrenal venous sampling. Of the 65 patients, 21 had a hyperfunctioning cortical adenoma, 25 had cortical or medullary hyperplasia, and 11 pheochromocytoma, while 10 had no functional adrenal disease. Diagnosis by CT alone was correct in 66%; diagnosis by CT and venous sampling was correct in 89%. Incorrect prospective CT diagnosis resulted most often from a normal appearance of functionally hyperplastic glands (9 cases), nodular hyperplasia simulating a focal adenoma (8 cases), or an incidental nonfunctioning mass (3 cases). This study emphasizes the need to correlate CT findings with biochemical evaluation and the usefulness of venous sampling in selected cases to avoid inappropriate surgery. When CT is interpreted in correlation with complete biochemical analysis, correct diagnosis can usually be made. A small number of cases may still require adrenal venous sampling.     

Changing role of imaging-guided percutaneous biopsy of adrenal masses: evaluation of 50 adrenal biopsies

OBJECTIVE: Prior series of percutaneous imaging-guided biopsies of adrenal masses before the advent of dedicated CT and MRI of the adrenal glands have shown that 40-57% of adrenal masses biopsied were adenomas-benign lesions requiring no further evaluation or treatment. This study was performed to assess the effect of dedicated adrenal imaging with CT and MRI on the rate of percutaneous imaging-guided biopsies of adrenal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 50 consecutive adrenal mass biopsies performed during a 48-month period. The patient demographics, technique of biopsy, pathology results, and results of any prior dedicated adrenal imaging with MRI or CT protocols were noted. RESULTS: Only six (12%) of 50 biopsies were adenomas. Five of these six cases were preceded by dedicated adrenal CT or MRI. Thirty-five cases were metastatic disease, four were adrenal cortical carcinoma, three were pheochromocytoma, and two biopsies were nondiagnostic. Overall, 20 of 50 cases were preceded by a dedicated adrenal CT or MRI examination to exclude an adenoma; in 21 of the remaining 30 cases, the imaging characteristics before biopsy were inconsistent with the potential diagnosis of an adenoma and dedicated adrenal CT or MRI was not recommended. CONCLUSION: The number of adrenal adenomas biopsied has declined markedly with the introduction of dedicated adrenal CT and MRI for adrenal adenomas. Percutaneous imaging-guided biopsy is useful in confirming the presence and nature of suspected metastatic deposits to the adrenal gland and in diagnosing or excluding adrenal adenomas in patients with equivocal imaging characteristics.     

肾上腺CT扫描诊断结核性Addison病的价值

 目的 总结Addison病肾上腺CT形态特点和诊断价值.方法 对1992～2006年临床诊断Addison病23例的肾上腺影像学特征进行回顾性分析,包括行CT平扫10例,B超13例和腹部X线检查8例,CT平扫中5例同时做B超检查.结果 (1)82.6 %(19/23)的患者临床诊断为结核性Addison病,男:女=6:13,平均42.8岁(17～72岁),其中68.4 %(13/19)有陈旧性肺结核病史;(2)10例患者行肾上腺CT平扫,结核性Addison病7例中表现干酪化期病变者5例,钙化期2例;其余3例为自身免疫性Addison病,肾上腺大小、形态和密度均正常,或萎缩,但均没有钙化灶;(3)典型干酪化期病变主要为肾上腺增大及钙化、或仅有增大或钙化;钙化期则表现为肾上腺增大伴片状或斑点状钙化;(4)超声显示干酪化期病变为肾上腺内部回声欠均匀,伴体积增大和(或)钙化;X线只能显示肾上腺区域钙化影征象.结论 CT检查有助于明确Addison病肾上腺病变的类型和分期,效果优于腹部超声和X线片检查.     

Computed tomography of the normal adrenal glands.

CT body scans of 60 random patients without evidence of adrenal disease were reviewed to determine the location, size, and shape of both normal adrenal glands. Both glands were clearly delineated in 78% of the patients evaluated. The length, width, and thickness of adrenal glands as measured by computed tomography were similar to comparable measurements from surgical and autopsy studies.