Radiology, Vol 150, 195-199, Copyright © 1984 by Radiological Society of North America
Adrenal cortex dysfunction: CT findings
KH Huebener and H Treugut
The computed tomographic appearance of the adrenal gland was studied in 302
patients with possible endocrinologic disease and 107 patients undergoing
CT for nonendocrinologic reasons. Measurements of adrenal size were also
made in 100 adults with no known adrenal pathology. CT proved to be a
sensitive diagnostic tool in combination with clinical studies. When blood
hormone levels are increased, CT can differentiate among homogeneous
organic hyperplasia, nodular hyperplasia, benign adenoma, and malignant
cortical adenoma. When blood hormone levels are decreased, CT can
demonstrate hypoplasia or metastatic tumorous destruction. Calcifications
or caseations can be demonstrated earlier than on plain radiographs. When
hormone elimination is increased, the morphologic substrate can be
identified; tumorous changes can be localized and infiltration of
surrounding organs recognized.
