[Value of various imaging modalities for diagnostic work-up of tumors of the adrenal gland].
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the value of various imaging modalities for diagnostic work-up of tumors of the adrenal gland.


METHODS
Results of the literature are reviewed. An optimized examination protocol for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is shown for assessment and differentiation of unclear lesions of the adrenal gland.


RESULTS
Measurements of attenuation in the native examination as well as delayed enhancement are the cornerstones in the CT diagnostics of tumors of the adrenal gland. In MRI, chemical-shift imaging and evaluation of signal characteristics in T1- and T2-weighted images are most important for characterization even in unclear cases.


CONCLUSIONS
CT and MRI play the major role in imaging of adrenal gland tumors. Whereas CT is less expensive and widely available,MRI provides advantages in unclear cases because of the excellent tissue contrast and the superior characterization.
Zech
C J
CJ
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Universität München-Grosshadern, Munich. czech@ikra.med.uni-muenchen.de
Weiss
M
M
Schoenberg
S O
SO
Herrmann
K A
KA
Helmberger
T
T
Reiser
M F
MF
D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed