Ultrasonic manifestations of large adrenal cortical adenoma / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the sonographic ifndings of large adrenal cortical adenoma. Methods The sonographic characteristics of thirteen cases of large adrenal cortical adenoma (diameter≥4.0 cm) which were diagnosed by surgery from January 2006 to August 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Results In all cases, the adenomas had distinct margins. The mean size of lesions was (5.5±1.6) cm, ranging from 4.0 cm to 8.8 cm. On echotexture, three lesions were homogeneous and the remaining ten lesions were heterogeneous. In addition, seven contained hypoechoic nodules and hyperechoic septum, three had anechoic area, three had extremely hyperechoic area with acoustic shadow, and two had patchy hyperechoic area. On Doppler, most lesions had no lfow signal. Conclusions Large adrenal adenomas have complete capsule and heterogeneous internal echoes with septum, calciifcation, necrosis and hemorrhages. These characteristics are less frequently seen incommon adrenal adenoma, therefore may be helpful in recognition of large adrenal adenoma in clinical practice.