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Traumatic adrenal hemorrhage: radiologic findings
B J Murphy1, J Casillas, J M Yrizarry
1Department of Radiology, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Radiology
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Traumatic adrenal hemorrhage presents as an enlarged gland with abnormal fat stranding on CT and ultrasound. Follow-up imaging reveals cystic changes, aiding diagnosis of adrenal trauma.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Trauma Imaging
- Adrenal Gland Imaging
Background:
- Adrenal gland injuries can result from blunt or penetrating trauma.
- Accurate imaging is crucial for diagnosing and managing traumatic adrenal hemorrhage.
- Understanding the imaging characteristics of adrenal trauma is essential for clinicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with traumatic adrenal hemorrhage.
- To correlate imaging findings with the clinical presentation of adrenal trauma.
- To evaluate the utility of different imaging modalities in assessing adrenal gland injury.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of four patients with traumatic adrenal hemorrhage.
- Analysis of imaging data from CT, US, and MRI.
- Correlation of imaging findings with trauma mechanism and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- CT demonstrated enlarged, inhomogeneous adrenal glands with normal to increased attenuation, accompanied by periadrenal and subcutaneous fat stranding.
- US revealed enlarged, hyperechoic masses with a central echo, evolving into cystic structures on follow-up.
- MRI showed an enlarged gland, isointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images, with associated fat stranding.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic adrenal hemorrhage exhibits characteristic imaging features across CT, US, and MRI.
- Fat stranding adjacent to the adrenal gland and in the flank is a key indicator of trauma.
- Imaging follow-up is valuable for monitoring the resolution and evolution of adrenal hematomas.