title: Adrenal phaeochromocytoma: correlation of MRI appearances with histology and function.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the range of appearances of adrenal phaeochromocytomas on T2-weighted MRI, correlate appearances with histopathology, and quantify the incidence of the previously described hyperintense appearance. The appearance and MR characteristics of 44 phaeochromocytomas were reviewed retrospectively. T2-weighted appearances were grouped: (1) 'classical', homogeneous, high signal intensity, isointense to CSF; (2) homogeneous, isointense or minimally hyperintense to spleen, hypointense to CSF; (3) heterogeneous, marbled appearance; (4) heterogeneous, multiple high signal intensity pockets. All 44 adrenal phaeochromocytomas were well circumscribed, 1.2-15 cm in maximum diameter, with no visual or quantitative signal loss on chemical shift imaging. On T2-weighted MRI 5/44 (11%) had group 1 appearance; 15/44 (34%) group 2, 7/44 (16%) group 3; and 17/44 (39%) group 4. Homogeneous group 1 and 2 lesions were smaller (mean 4.5 cm) than heterogeneous group 3 and 4 lesions (mean 6.3 cm). Increasing MRI heterogeneity correlated pathologically with increasing amounts of haemorrhage, necrosis and fibrosis. No MRI features were predictive of malignancy. Non-functioning phaeochromocytomas were larger than functioning lesions. No size difference was seen between syndrome and sporadic lesions. In this large series we report a wide range of appearances of adrenal phaeochromocytomas on T2-weighted MRI. The previously described classical hyperintense phaeochromocytoma is relatively uncommon.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Imaging, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, UK. audreyejacques@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Audrey E T
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Jacques
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahdev
authors.forename: Madrika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sandrasagara
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berney
authors.forename: Andrea G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rockall
authors.forename: Shern
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Rodney H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Reznek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult