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An Update of Practical CT Adrenal Imaging: What Physicians Need to Know

  • Abdominal CT-An Update on Applications and New Developments (H. Teh, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being utilized for patient care, with a subsequent increase in the detection of incidental adrenal masses. It is important for physicians to be familiar with the various current and investigational CT techniques used to image and characterize adrenal masses, including noncontrast CT, dual-energy CT, post-contrast imaging with percentage washout calculations, and investigational techniques including histogram, perfusion, and biphasic CT analyses. Once an incidental adrenal mass is detected, it is important to utilize current CT adrenal imaging techniques to characterize adrenal masses and differentiate the indolent adrenal masses that may be left alone from malignant and symptomatic masses that need timely medical or surgical management. Current CT imaging techniques can be utilized to differentiate benign adrenal masses from malignant counterparts. In this article, we describe the common CT features of benign adrenal masses, including hyperplasia, adenoma, pheochromocytoma, and myelolipoma. We also describe the common CT features of malignant adrenal masses, including metastases, and adrenal cortical carcinoma.

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Author notes

  1. Brinda Rao Korivi

    Present address: , 1400 Pressler Street, FCT 15.6070, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Abdominal Imaging Section – Unit 1473, T. Boone Pickens Tower, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Brinda Rao Korivi, Khaled M. Elsayes, Silvana Faria de Castro, Naveen Garg & Aliya Qayyum

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  1. Brinda Rao Korivi
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  2. Khaled M. Elsayes
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Correspondence to Brinda Rao Korivi.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Abdominal CT-An Update on Applications and New Developments.

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Korivi, B.R., Elsayes, K.M., de Castro, S.F. et al. An Update of Practical CT Adrenal Imaging: What Physicians Need to Know. Curr Radiol Rep 3, 12 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-015-0091-2

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