Adrenal adenoma

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Adrenal adenomas are the commonest adrenal mass lesion, and are often found incidentally during abdominal imaging for other reasons. In all cases, but especially in the setting of known current or previous malignancy, adrenal adenomas need to be distinguished from adrenal metastases or other adrenal malignancies.

Terminology

The term incidental adrenal lesion (also colloquially known as an incidentaloma) is sometimes used interchangeably with adrenal adenoma, although in truth an incidental adrenal lesion includes all pathologies (including malignancies). As such, the term should be avoided lest it results in confusion.

Epidemiology

Adrenal adenomas are found in almost all age groups but increase in frequency with age ⁴.

Clinical presentation

The majority of(~95%) of adrenal adenomas are non-functioning, in which case they are asymptomatic.

Patients with hyperfunctioning adrenal gland adenomas present with manifestations of excess hormone secretion. ~~The~~ The most common disease states caused by functioning adenomas are Cushing syndrome (due to excess cortisol production), Conn syndrome (due to excess aldosterone production) or sex-hormone related symptoms ⁴.

Radiographic features

Imaging plays a key role in assessing the vast number of incidental adrenal lesions, the majority of which are adrenal adenomas. Correlation with previous imaging is often useful, as a lesion which has not changed over a number of years is unlikely to be malignant.

General

They can be divided into those that have typical or atypical appearances.

Typical adenomas are:

small: <3 cm
homogeneous and low density

Atypical features include:

haemorrhage
calcification
necrosis
no fat
large:
- if >4 cm: 70% malignant (excluding adrenal myelolipomas which are easily recognised due to fat, and pheochromocytomas which are usually recognised biochemically)
- if >6 cm: 85% malignant ⁴

CT

CT is often the modality which identifies an adrenal mass. Fortunately using density is highly sensitive and specific as 70% of adrenal adenomas contain significant intracellular fat. ~~Lipid~~Lipid-poor adenomas are more difficult to diagnose because the CT numbers increase and approach those of soft tissue.

For lipid poor lesions, the contrast washout rate can be calculated at CT. Adenomas typically have rapid contrast washout, whereas non-adenomas tend to wash out more slowly. There are different protocols, and some controversy exists as to which protocol is the best. A 5 or 10 minute protocol may be more suitable for busy CT lists. However there is evidence that a 15 minutes post contrast protocol has better diagnostic accuracy.¹¹

non-contrast imaging ⁴
- <0 HU: considered 47% sensitive and 100% specific
- <10 HU: considered 71% sensitive and 98% specific
washout imaging
- 15 minutes post contrast
- >60% absolute washout
- >40% relative washout

It is important to note that hypervascular metastases may show identical washout values, particularly those from renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. An alternative diagnosis to adrenal adenoma must be considered when there is a value >120 HU on the portal venous phase, particularly in cases with prior history of neoplasm ¹².

MRI

Chemical shift imaging is the most reliable for diagnosis especially when CT findings are equivocal. Because of the high sensitivity of chemical shift MR imaging to minute amounts of intravoxel fat, MR imaging demonstrates signal intensity loss on opposed-phase images in the majority of adenomas, and a drop in signal intensity of greater than 20% is considered diagnostic for an adenoma ². Rather than measuring the signal, one can compare the adenoma in and out of phase, with images windowed similarly (using the spleen or muscle as a reference - NB do not use the liver as it can change signal on in and out of phase imaging depending on presence of heamochromatosis or hepatic steatosis) ⁴.

As MRIs are usually performed to help indeterminate CT lesions, the sensitivity and specificity depends on the CT density. MRI is useful in adrenal mass with an attenuation <30 HU. A drop in signal on ~~out of phase~~ out-of-phase imaging for:

10-30 HU on CT is 89% sensitive and 100% specific
10-20 HU on CT is 100% sensitive and 100% specific

Malignant adrenal lesions also demonstrate restricted diffusion ⁴.

Treatment and prognosis

Small adrenal mass with manifestations of hormonal excess need resection, as do large (>3-5 cm) non functioning adrenal mass lesions as they are considered potentially malignant (see adrenal carcinoma).

Small adrenal lesions with typical features of adenomas and ~~with out~~without biochemical abnormality can be safely left in situ.

In patients with a known malignancy, ~50% of nonspecific adrenal nodules will represent adrenal adenomas.

Differential diagnosis

Consider other adrenal lesions such as:

-<p><strong>Adrenal adenomas</strong> are the commonest <a href="/articles/adrenal-lesions">adrenal mass lesion</a>, and are often found incidentally during abdominal imaging for other reasons. In all cases, but especially in the setting of known current or previous malignancy, adrenal adenomas need to be distinguished from <a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastases</a> or other adrenal malignancies.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>The term incidental adrenal lesion (also colloquially known as an <a href="/articles/adrenal-adenoma">incidentaloma</a>) is sometimes used interchangeably with adrenal adenoma, although in truth an incidental adrenal lesion includes all pathologies (including malignancies). As such, the term should be avoided lest it results in confusion.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Adrenal adenomas are found in almost all age groups but increase in frequency with age <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>The majority of adrenal adenomas are non-functioning, in which case they are asymptomatic.</p><p>Patients with hyperfunctioning adrenal gland adenomas present with manifestations of excess hormone secretion. The most common disease states caused by functioning adenomas are <a href="/articles/cushing-syndrome">Cushing syndrome</a> (due to excess cortisol production), <a href="/articles/conn-syndrome">Conn syndrome</a> (due to excess aldosterone production) or sex-hormone related symptoms <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Imaging plays a key role in assessing the vast number of incidental adrenal lesions, the majority of which are adrenal adenomas. Correlation with previous imaging is often useful, as a lesion which has not changed over a number of years is unlikely to be malignant.</p><h5>General</h5><p>They can be divided into those that have typical or atypical appearances.</p><p>Typical adenomas are:</p><ul>
+<p><strong>Adrenal adenomas</strong> are the commonest <a href="/articles/adrenal-lesions">adrenal mass lesion</a>, and are often found incidentally during abdominal imaging for other reasons. In all cases, but especially in the setting of known current or previous malignancy, adrenal adenomas need to be distinguished from <a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastases</a> or other adrenal malignancies.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>The term incidental adrenal lesion (also colloquially known as an <a href="/articles/adrenal-adenoma">incidentaloma</a>) is sometimes used interchangeably with adrenal adenoma, although in truth an incidental adrenal lesion includes all pathologies (including malignancies). As such, the term should be avoided lest it results in confusion.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Adrenal adenomas are found in almost all age groups but increase in frequency with age <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>The majority (~95%) of adrenal adenomas are non-functioning, in which case they are asymptomatic.</p><p>Patients with hyperfunctioning adrenal gland adenomas present with manifestations of excess hormone secretion. The most common disease states caused by functioning adenomas are <a href="/articles/cushing-syndrome">Cushing syndrome</a> (due to excess cortisol production), <a href="/articles/conn-syndrome">Conn syndrome</a> (due to excess aldosterone production) or sex-hormone related symptoms <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Imaging plays a key role in assessing the vast number of incidental adrenal lesions, the majority of which are adrenal adenomas. Correlation with previous imaging is often useful, as a lesion which has not changed over a number of years is unlikely to be malignant.</p><h5>General</h5><p>They can be divided into those that have typical or atypical appearances.</p><p>Typical adenomas are:</p><ul>
-</ul><h5>CT</h5><p>CT is often the modality which identifies an adrenal mass. Fortunately using density is highly sensitive and specific as 70% of adrenal adenomas contain significant intracellular fat. Lipid-poor adenomas are more difficult to diagnose because the CT numbers increase and approach those of soft tissue.</p><p>For lipid poor lesions, the <a href="/articles/adrenal-washout">contrast washout rate</a> can be calculated at CT. Adenomas typically have rapid contrast washout, whereas non-adenomas tend to wash out more slowly. There are different protocols, and some controversy exists as to which protocol is the best. A 5 or 10 minute protocol may be more suitable for busy CT lists. However there is evidence that a 15 minutes post contrast protocol has better diagnostic accuracy.<sup>11</sup></p><ul>
+</ul><h5>CT</h5><p>CT is often the modality which identifies an adrenal mass. Fortunately using density is highly sensitive and specific as 70% of adrenal adenomas contain significant intracellular fat. Lipid-poor adenomas are more difficult to diagnose because the CT numbers increase and approach those of soft tissue.</p><p>For lipid poor lesions, the <a href="/articles/adrenal-washout">contrast washout rate</a> can be calculated at CT. Adenomas typically have rapid contrast washout, whereas non-adenomas tend to wash out more slowly. There are different protocols, and some controversy exists as to which protocol is the best. A 5 or 10 minute protocol may be more suitable for busy CT lists. However there is evidence that a 15 minutes post contrast protocol has better diagnostic accuracy.<sup>11</sup></p><ul>
-</ul><p>It is important to note that hypervascular metastases may show identical washout values, particularly those from <a href="/articles/renal-cell-carcinoma-staging-tnm">renal cell carcinoma</a> and <a href="/articles/hepatocellular-carcinoma">hepatocellular carcinoma</a>. An alternative diagnosis to adrenal adenoma must be considered when there is a <strong>value >120 HU </strong>on the portal venous phase, particularly in cases with prior history of neoplasm <sup>12</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p><a href="/articles/chemical-shift-artifact-1">Chemical shift</a> imaging is the most reliable for diagnosis especially when CT findings are equivocal. Because of the high sensitivity of chemical shift MR imaging to minute amounts of intravoxel fat, MR imaging demonstrates signal intensity loss on opposed-phase images in the majority of adenomas, and a drop in signal intensity of greater than 20% is considered diagnostic for an adenoma <sup>2</sup>. Rather than measuring the signal, one can compare the adenoma in and out of phase, with images windowed similarly (using the spleen or muscle as a reference - NB do not use the liver as it can change signal on in and out of phase imaging depending on presence of <a href="/articles/haemochromatosis">heamochromatosis</a> or <a href="/articles/diffuse-hepatic-steatosis">hepatic steatosis</a>) <sup>4</sup>.</p><p>As MRIs are usually performed to help indeterminate CT lesions, the sensitivity and specificity depends on the CT density. MRI is useful in adrenal mass with an attenuation <30 HU. A drop in signal on out of phase imaging for:</p><ul>
+</ul><p>It is important to note that hypervascular metastases may show identical washout values, particularly those from <a href="/articles/renal-cell-carcinoma-staging-tnm">renal cell carcinoma</a> and <a href="/articles/hepatocellular-carcinoma">hepatocellular carcinoma</a>. An alternative diagnosis to adrenal adenoma must be considered when there is a <strong>value >120 HU </strong>on the portal venous phase, particularly in cases with prior history of neoplasm <sup>12</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p><a href="/articles/chemical-shift-artifact-1">Chemical shift</a> imaging is the most reliable for diagnosis especially when CT findings are equivocal. Because of the high sensitivity of chemical shift MR imaging to minute amounts of intravoxel fat, MR imaging demonstrates signal intensity loss on opposed-phase images in the majority of adenomas, and a drop in signal intensity of greater than 20% is considered diagnostic for an adenoma <sup>2</sup>. Rather than measuring the signal, one can compare the adenoma in and out of phase, with images windowed similarly (using the spleen or muscle as a reference - NB do not use the liver as it can change signal on in and out of phase imaging depending on presence of <a href="/articles/haemochromatosis">heamochromatosis</a> or <a href="/articles/diffuse-hepatic-steatosis">hepatic steatosis</a>) <sup>4</sup>.</p><p>As MRIs are usually performed to help indeterminate CT lesions, the sensitivity and specificity depends on the CT density. MRI is useful in adrenal mass with an attenuation <30 HU. A drop in signal on out-of-phase imaging for:</p><ul>
-</ul><p>Malignant adrenal lesions also demonstrate <a href="/articles/restricted-diffusion">restricted diffusion</a> <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Small adrenal mass with manifestations of hormonal excess need resection, as do large (>3-5 cm) non functioning adrenal mass lesions as they are considered potentially malignant (see <a href="/articles/adrenal-cortical-carcinoma-1">adrenal carcinoma</a>).</p><p>Small adrenal lesions with typical features of adenomas and with out biochemical abnormality can be safely left in situ.</p><p>In patients with a known malignancy, ~50% of nonspecific adrenal nodules will represent adrenal adenomas.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Consider other <a href="/articles/adrenal-lesions">adrenal lesions </a>such as:</p><ul>
+</ul><p>Malignant adrenal lesions also demonstrate <a href="/articles/restricted-diffusion">restricted diffusion</a> <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Small adrenal mass with manifestations of hormonal excess need resection, as do large (>3-5 cm) non functioning adrenal mass lesions as they are considered potentially malignant (see <a href="/articles/adrenal-cortical-carcinoma-1">adrenal carcinoma</a>).</p><p>Small adrenal lesions with typical features of adenomas and without biochemical abnormality can be safely left <em>in situ</em>.</p><p>In patients with a known malignancy, ~50% of nonspecific adrenal nodules will represent adrenal adenomas.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Consider other <a href="/articles/adrenal-lesions">adrenal lesions </a>such as:</p><ul>

References changed:

13. William E. Brant, Clyde A. Helms. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology. (2012) ISBN: 9781608319114 - <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9781608319114">Google Books</a>

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