Update on CT and MRI of Adrenal Nodules.

Abstract

The objective of this article is to review the current role of CT and MRI for the characterization of adrenal nodules. Unenhanced CT and chemical-shift MRI have high specificity for lipid-rich adenomas. Dual-energy CT provides comparable to slightly lower sensitivity for the diagnosis of lipid-rich adenomas but may improve characterization of lipid-poor adenomas. Nonadenomas containing intracellular lipid pose an imaging challenge; however, nonadenomas that contain lipid may be potentially diagnosed using other imaging features. Multiphase adrenal washout CT can be used to differentiate lipid-poor adenomas from metastases but is limited for the diagnosis of hypervascular malignancies and pheochromocytoma.