Multimedia
 | Media file 1: Homogeneous, well-defined, 7-HU ovoid mass is seen in the right adrenal gland; this finding is diagnostic of a benign adrenal adenoma. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Image 2 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 2: Homogeneous, well-defined, 7-HU, ovoid mass is seen in the right adrenal gland; this finding is diagnostic of a benign adrenal adenoma. (CT scan obtained in the same patient as in Image 1 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 3: Contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrates a homogeneously enhancing ovoid mass in the left adrenal gland. As in this case, attenuation measurements of adrenal masses on contrast-enhanced CT scans are frequently nondiagnostic. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Images 4 and 5 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 4: Contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrates a homogeneously enhancing ovoid mass in the left adrenal gland. As in this case, attenuation measurements of adrenal masses on contrast-enhanced CT scans are frequently nondiagnostic. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Images 3 and 5 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 5: MRIs obtained with in-phase (left) and out-of-phase (right) imaging after CT imaging. Note how the signal intensity in the left adrenal mass (white arrow) decreases (ie, the mass is darker) relative to that of the spleen on the out-of-phase images. As in this case, a signal intensity decrease of 20% or greater is diagnostic of a benign adrenal adenoma. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Images 3 and 4 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 6: Homogeneously enhancing ovoid mass is seen in the left adrenal gland. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Images 7 and 8 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 7: Homogeneously enhancing ovoid mass is seen in the left adrenal gland. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Images 6 and 8 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 8: An adrenal adenoma (arrows) is diagnosed with follow-up MRI when decreased signal intensity is seen on the out-of-phase image. (Image was obtained in the same patient as in Images 6 and 7 in Multimedia.) |
 | Media file 9: MRI images demonstrate a homogeneous ovoid mass in the right adrenal gland (arrows). A concomitant loss of signal intensity, relative to that of the spleen, with out-of-phase imaging is diagnostic of benign adrenal adenoma. |
 | Media file 10: Dynamic and delayed contrast-enhanced CT scans demonstrate a homogeneously enhancing mass in the right adrenal gland. The degree to which enhancement diminishes over time is referred to as washout, which can be calculated by using the following formula: [1 - (attenuation at 10 minutes/attenuation at 80 seconds)] X 100, where the attenuations are in Hounsfield units. In this case, the washout equals [1 – (36/99)] X 100, or 64%. Findings from a recent publication in a major journal suggests that any washout greater than 50% is diagnostic of a benign adrenal adenoma. Further studies are needed to confirm these promising results. |
More on Adrenal Adenoma |
| Overview: Adrenal Adenoma |
| Imaging: Adrenal Adenoma |
| Follow-up: Adrenal Adenoma |
 Multimedia: Adrenal Adenoma |
| References |
| Further Reading |
| « Previous Page |
References
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Further Reading
Related eMedicine topics
Adrenal Adenoma (Endocrinology)
Adrenal Carcinoma
Adrenal Metastases
Adrenal Surgery
Clinical guidelines
ACR Appropriateness Criteria® incidentally discovered adrenal mass. American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society. 2000 (revised 2007). 8 pages. NGC:005995
Stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with pituitary adenomas. IRSA - Professional Association. 2004 Apr. 12 pages. NGC:003598
Clinical trials
Study of Adrenal Gland Tumors
Adrenal Scans With Radioiodine-Labeled Norcholesterol (NP-59)
Adrenal Tumors - Pathogenesis and Therapy
Keywords
adrenal adenoma, adrenal cortical nodular hyperplasia, adrenal tumor, adrenal gland tumor, benign adrenal tumor, adrenal cortical adenoma
