title: MDCT Linear and Volumetric Analysis of Adrenal Glands: Normative Data and Multiparametric Assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study linear and volumetric adrenal measurements, their reproducibility, and correlations between total adrenal volume (TAV) and adrenal micronodularity, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), visceral (VAAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue volume (SAAT), presence of diabetes, chronic alcoholic abuse and chronic inflammatory disease (CID).
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 154 patients (M/F, 65/89; mean age, 57 years) undergoing abdominal multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT). Two radiologists prospectively independently performed adrenal linear and volumetric measurements with semi-automatic software. Inter-observer reliability was studied using inter-observer correlation coefficient (ICC). Relationships between TAV and associated factors were studied using bivariate and multivariable analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean TAV was 8.4 ± 2.7 cm(3) (3.3-18.7 cm(3)). ICC was excellent for TAV (0.97; 95 % CI: 0.96-0.98) and moderate to good for linear measurements. TAV was significantly greater in men (p < 0.0001), alcoholics (p = 0.04), diabetics (p = 0.0003) and those with micronodular glands (p = 0.001). TAV was lower in CID patients (p = 0.0001). TAV correlated positively with VAAT (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001), BMI (r = 0.42, p < 0.0001), SAAT (r = 0.29, p = 0.0003) and age (r = 0.23, p = 0.005). Multivariable analysis revealed gender, micronodularity, diabetes, age and BMI as independent factors influencing TAV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adrenal gland MDCT-based volumetric measurements are more reproducible than linear measurements. Gender, micronodularity, age, BMI and diabetes independently influence TAV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Volumetric measurements are more reproducible than linear measurements for adrenal glands. • Inter-observer reproducibility of adrenal gland volume is excellent using semiautomatic software. • Gender, age, BMI, and diabetes independently influence total adrenal gland volume. • Adrenal micronodularity is associated with increased total adrenal gland volume.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert-Debré, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims Cedex, France. certhiel@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carsin-Vu
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Innovation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert-Debré, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oubaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert-Debré, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mulé
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert-Debré, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Annaëlle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janvier
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert-Debré, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Delemer
authors.affiliation: Université Diderot (Paris 7), Sorbonne Paris-Cité, 10, rue de Verdun, 75010, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert-Debré, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092, Reims Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoeffel
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Adrenal glands; Diabetes mellitus; Organ size; Reference values; Tomography scanners, X-ray computed