Incidental Adrenal Nodules

Daniel I Glazer; Michael T Corwin; William W Mayo-Smith

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2021.03.008

Incidental Adrenal Nodules

Radiol Clin North Am. 2021 Jul;59(4):591-601. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2021.03.008.

Authors

Daniel I Glazer¹, Michael T Corwin², William W Mayo-Smith³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: dglazer@bwh.harvard.edu.
² Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

PMID: 34053607
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2021.03.008

Abstract

Incidentally detected adrenal nodules are common, and prevalence increases with patient age. Although most are benign, it is important for the radiologist to be able to accurately determine which nodules require further testing and which are safely left alone. The American College of Radiology incidental adrenal White Paper provides a structured algorithm based on expert consensus for management of incidental adrenal nodules. If further diagnostic testing is indicated, adrenal computed tomography is the most appropriate test in patients for nodules less than 4 cm. In addition to imaging, biochemical testing and endocrinology referral is warranted to exclude a functioning mass.

Keywords: Adrenal CT; Adrenal MR imaging; Adrenal nodule; Incidentaloma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
Humans
Incidental Findings*