title: [Scintigraphic characterization of expansive lesions located in the adrenals. Comparison with magnetic resonance imaging].
abstract: In this study, 35 patients (11 men and 24 women, mean age 47 +/- 16 years) with unilateral adrenal masses underwent nor-cholesterol (nor-Chol) (n = 11), metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) (n = 15) or nor-Chol and MIBG (n = 9) radionuclide studies. In all patients Magnetic Resonance (MR) adrenal imaging was also performed. In 19 (54%) patients, no laboratory abnormalities of adrenal function were observed. In the other 16 (46%) patients, adrenal hyperfunction was found. In 21 lesions, histology showed 10 pheochromocytomas (Pheos), 6 adenomas, 3 metastases, 1 cyst and 1 nodular focal liver hyperplasia. In the remaining 14 lesions, increased cortisol (n = 4) or aldosterone (n = 2) levels and/or intense nor-Chol uptake (n = 14) were considered suggestive of adenoma. Diagnostic accuracy of both nor-Chol and MIBG radionuclide studies in correctly identifying adenoma or Pheos was 100%. Conversely, qualitative MR signal intensity (SI) analysis on T2-weighted images did not allow to accurately distinguish lesions of different nature. In particular, 10 Pheos, 8 adenomas, 3 mestastasis and 1 cyst clearly showed on T2-weighted images higher SI than the liver; 5 adenomas had a slight higher SI; the remaining lesions (7 adenomas and 1 liver hyperplasia) exhibited low SI. In conclusion, adrenal scintigraphy using nor-Chol or MIBG allows to identify adenomas and Pheos, respectively. Conversely, qualitative MR SI analysis cannot differentiate different adrenal lesion (Pheos, adenoma, metastasis and cyst) and yields heterogeneous results in adenomas.
authors.affiliation: Medicina Nucleare, Università degli Studi Federico II, Napoli.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maurea
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lastoria
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caracò
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Varrella
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filice
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvatore
mesh_terms: D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007462:Iodobenzenes; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012644:Selenium Radioisotopes; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007462:Iodobenzenes; D012644:Selenium Radioisotopes; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D002784:Cholesterol
vernacular_title: Caratterizzazione scintigrafica delle lesioni espansive a sede surrenalica. Confronto con l'imaging a Risonanza Magnetica.