Adrenal Masses: MR Imaging Features with Pathologic Correlation

Khaled M. Elsayes, Govind Mukundan, Vamsidhar R. Narra, James S. Lewis, Ali Shirkhoda, Aamer Farooki, Jeffrey J. Brown
2004 Radiographics  
The detection of adrenal lesions has increased with the expanding use of cross-sectional imaging. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is often useful for characterizing adrenal masses. Adrenal masses can be classified into various groups on the basis of the presence of intracellular lipid, macroscopic fat, hemorrhage, and cystic changes and the vascularity and shape of the tumor. These imaging features can be used by the radiologist to suggest or confirm a diagnosis for most adrenal masses,
more » ... g adenoma, hyperplasia, simple and complicated cysts, lymphangioma, myelolipoma, pheochromocytoma, hemorrhage, cortical carcinoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, and metastases. Adenomas and metastases are common, and a decrease in signal intensity on outof-phase images can be used to differentiate between them. Carcinoma is a possible diagnosis if that decrease in signal intensity is heterogeneous. Benign disease is diagnosed if macroscopic fat or a homogeneous cystlike lesion is seen. Recognition of the typical MR imaging features is important because it often changes the treatment approach and may obviate surgery. © RSNA, 2004 Abbreviations: GRE ϭ gradient-recalled echo, H-E ϭ hematoxylin-eosin, RARE ϭ rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement, VIBE ϭ volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination.
doi:10.1148/rg.24si045514 pmid:15486251 fatcat:sbfwpm4u2vab7p65dlbium2xfe