[Comparative analysis of pathomorphologic changes in the adrenal glands using ultrasound and computer tomography]

A prospective study of the possibilities and achievements of ultrasonography of the adrenal glands is presented. The adrenal glands of 146 patients with abnormalities suspected clinically were examined with ultrasound. Patients were also evaluated with computed tomography where there are firm criteria for the evaluation of adrenal pathology. Positive findings were detected by ultrasound in 46 patients, whereas computed tomography disclosed pathologic changes in 65 patients. In 81 patients, the finding of computed tomography was normal. With ultrasound, false positives were obtained in 3 cases and false negatives in 19 cases (14 hyperplasias, 5 tumors). Ultrasound findings were additionally compared with angiographic and clinical tests as well as with pathohistologic results of surgery and autopsy.