Related Experiment Videos
Cystic adrenal lesions: CT features
A Rozenblit1, H T Morehouse, E S Amis
1Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Radiology
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) can differentiate adrenal cysts from adenomas by identifying nonenhancing masses, potentially with wall calcification. Small adrenal cysts with near-water attenuation and thin walls are likely benign.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Adrenal lesions present a diagnostic challenge, with cystic lesions requiring differentiation from adenomas.
- Accurate characterization of adrenal cysts is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define computed tomographic (CT) features that distinguish cystic adrenal lesions from adenomas.
- To identify imaging characteristics indicative of benign adrenal cysts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of CT scans from 13 cystic adrenal lesions with diverse histologies.
- Review of literature data on 26 additional benign adrenal cysts.
- Evaluation of lesion size, attenuation, calcification, wall thickness, and enhancement patterns.
Main Results:
- Mean lesion diameter was 6.2 cm; mean attenuation was 21 HU.
- Wall or septal calcification was present in 10 lesions.
- Thin walls (≤3 mm) were observed in nine lesions, while thicker walls (>6 mm) were noted in three, including one carcinoma.
- Nonenhancing masses with or without calcification were characteristic of adrenal cysts.
Conclusions:
- CT findings of nonenhancing masses with or without wall calcification aid in differentiating adrenal cysts from adenomas.
- Small adrenal cysts with near-water attenuation and thin walls are likely benign.