[The role of adrenal computerized tomography in endocrinopathies. Cushing's syndrome]

A comparison was made between the adrenal or hypophyseal histology and the CT finding of adrenal glands in 18 Cushing patients in an assessment of CT as a preliminary screening measure prior to hormone studies for the detection of subjects with adrenal tumours, and hence candidates for adrenalectomy. The CT finding were: 8 tumours (7 adenomas and 1 carcinoma), 5 hyperplasia, 5 NAD. All the adrenal tumours (diameter 18-69 mm) were correctly identified. The only distinctive feature of the carcinoma was its size. A CT diagnosis of adrenal tumour can be regarded as conclusive. Pictures indicative of hyperplasia or absence of alterations, however, must be supplemented by hormone tests and (if necessary) CT of the hypophysis.