title: Failure to ablate the adrenal gland by injection of contrast material.
abstract: Five attempts were made in 4 patients to infarct an adrenal gland containing an aldosterone-producing tumor, using vigorous retrograde injections of contrast material into the adrenal vein. Although a modest amount of tumor staining was attained in 3 patients, no clinical or laboratory changes were seen. Contrast extravasation appears to be a transient and benign complication. Adrenal vein thrombosis is probably responsible for the reported adrenal infarctions but can be prevented by systemic anticoagulation. The authors conclude that adrenal venography is a safe procedure whose potential risks are far outweighed by the decreased surgical complications when a functional adrenal tumor is accurately located preoperatively.
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media