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Diagnosing Adrenal Incidentalomas: What Tests Reveal
Published: Jan 26, 2024
Discovering an adrenal incidentaloma is just the beginning. Diagnostic tests reveal if it's benign or malignant and if it affects hormones.
The Role of Imaging
CT and MRI are crucial for diagnosing adrenal incidentalomas. They help determine the size and characteristics of the mass, which can indicate if it's benign or cancerous. Smaller tumors often mean a better prognosis if cancerous.
Understanding Imaging Phenotype
The imaging phenotype helps differentiate between benign and malignant masses. For instance, a mass with smooth borders and low density on CT is likely benign, whereas irregular shapes and high density suggest malignancy.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy
A fine-needle aspiration biopsy can distinguish between an adrenal tumor and a metastatic tumor. However, it can't tell a benign adrenal mass from carcinoma, making it useful primarily when cancer is suspected elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Imaging identifies size and characteristics indicating malignancy.
It distinguishes adrenal tumors from metastatic ones.
Yes, smaller tumors often have better outcomes if cancerous.
It's the mass's imaging characteristics indicating potential malignancy.
The Bottom Line
Imaging and biopsy are key to understanding adrenal incidentalomas.
References
- Hamrahian AH, Ioachimescu AG, Remer EM, et al. Clinical utility of noncontrast computed tomography attenuation value (hounsfield units) to differentiate adrenal adenomas/hyperplasias from nonadenomas: Cleveland Clinic experience. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90:871.
- Korobkin M, Brodeur FJ, Francis IR, et al. CT time-attenuation washout curves of adrenal adenomas and nonadenomas. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1998; 170:747.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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