Computed tomographic evaluation of adrenal glands in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

One hundred thirty-four patients with histo-pathologically proven bronchogenic carcinoma underwent computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and adrenal glands. Prospectively, 23 of the 134 patients had adrenal metastasis, based on CT criteria for enlargement of the gland. Retrospectively, however, some proved to be false positives. In addition, the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis frequently altered the initial staging and the treatment modality. We suggest that valid diagnoses of adrenal metastases on CT scan be made on the basis of altered shape as well as on altered size of the gland.