title: Linear and volumetric evaluation of the adrenal gland--MDCT-based measurements of the adrenals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to provide normal values of volumetry and linear dimensions of adrenal glands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography scans of 105 patients were evaluated in this retrospective study. Imaging software was used both to measure the adrenal gland volume and to determine linear dimensions and density. For interobserver reliability, determination was repeated by a second reader in 10 patients selected at random.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean adrenal volume was 4.84 (±1.67) cm³ on the left side and 3.62 (±1.23) cm³ on the right side. The total adrenal volume was mainly influenced by body weight (P < .001) and gender with women having smaller glands on average. The total width of the adrenal gland was 15.80 (±3.05) mm on the right side and 18.96 (±3.37) mm on the left side. There was a significant correlation between volume and linear measurements (P < .001). The mean density of both adrenal glands was 32.66 (±19.64) HU. Overall, interobserver reliability was high for volumetry (left adrenal, r = 0.98; right adrenal, r = 0.90) and low for linear dimensions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal data for volumetry and linear dimensions are provided. There is a concordance between volumetric and linear assessment. However, volumetry is more reproducible.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schneller
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beuschlein
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osswald
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pallauf
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riester
authors.affiliation: Klinikum der Universität München Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Tietze
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reincke
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: christoph.degenhart@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Degenhart
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adrenal volume; adrenal size; normal adrenal gland; normal value; volumetry