[Current developments in the radiologic diagnosis of the adrenal glands]

Cross-sectional imaging techniques have dramatically improved the diagnosis of adrenal disease. In most patients with endocrine-active adrenal disease, CT is the only imaging test needed to establish the correct diagnosis. Adrenal venography with blood sampling may provide important additional information in patients with Conn adenoma. Magnetic resonance imaging and (IMBG) scintigraphy appear to be the best imaging tests for the localization of multiple or extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. Inactive adrenal tumors detected incidentally are a problem as for as diagnosis is concerned, since inactive adrenal adenomas have to be differentiated from carcinomas and metastases. MRI is rarely helpful in these cases. For patients with a known primary tumor, the authors recommend CT-guided biopsy. In all other cases a follow-up study often reveals that the adrenal tumor detected is benign.