What does hyperplasia of adrenal gland mean?
Adrenal hyperplasia refers to non-malignant growth (enlargement) of the adrenal glands and is a rare cause of ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome, with unilateral adrenal cortical adenomas being the commonest. Approximately 20% of Conn syndrome cases are secondary to adrenal hyperplasia.
Can MRI detect adrenal glands?
Besides ultrasound and nuclear medicine techniques, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly used to examine adrenal lesions in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Some adrenal lesions have characteristic radiological features.
What is nodular cortical hyperplasia?
A number of heterogeneous disorders can result in adrenal cortical nodular hyperplasia. Cortical hyperplasia is a benign enlargement of the gland. Normal adrenal gland size differs between two sides. They are characterized by signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome due to increased cortisol secretion.
What does nodular thickening of the adrenal gland mean?
An adrenal nodule is when normal tissue grows into a lump. Most incidental adrenal nodules do not cause health problems. However, they need to be evaluated for signs of excess hormone production or suspicion of malignancy.
What is a adrenal MRI?
Your doctor has recommended you for an MRI of your adrenal glands. An adrenal gland is a hormone-producing organ located on the top of each kidney. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to create detailed image slices (cross sections) of the body.
What causes thickening of the adrenal gland?
Hyperaldosteronism: This condition is caused by a small tumor in the adrenal gland that makes too much aldosterone or an enlargement (hyperplasia) of the adrenal glands. A high level of aldosterone plays a part in the body’s salt and potassium balance, and may cause high blood pressure.
Do adrenal nodules need to be removed?
Most adrenal tumors are noncancerous (benign). You may need surgery (adrenalectomy) to remove an adrenal gland if the tumor is producing excess hormones or is large in size (more than 2 inches or 4 to 5 centimeters). If you have a cancerous tumor, you also may need an adrenalectomy.
How do you treat adrenal nodules?
If the tumor is small and appears to be noncancerous (benign), a laparoscopic strategy (surgery without large incisions) may be ordered. For a larger tumor or one that may be cancerous, surgery with an incision in the back may be preferred. In some cases, the entire adrenal gland may need to be removed.
Is adrenal hyperplasia an autoimmune disease?
Coexistence of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Autoimmune Addison’s Disease. Background: Underlying causes of adrenal insufficiency include congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and autoimmune adrenocortical destruction leading to autoimmune Addison’s disease (AAD).
What is macronodular adrenal hyperplasia?
Macronodular adrenal hyperplasia refers to a morphological type of adrenal hyperplasia in which there is adrenal enlargement in the form of large distinct nodules. It can be congenital or acquired. A specific subtype under this entity is adrenocorticotropin independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH).
What are the components of adrenal MR imaging?
The most important component of the adrenal MR imaging protocol is chemical shift imaging. Chemical shift imaging is performed with in-phase and out-of-phase spoiled gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) sequences, which, with some imaging units, can be combined into a single sequence.
What does the adrenal gland look like on normal Mr?
Normal MR Imaging Appearance. On axial and coronal MR images, the right adrenal gland is located immediately posterior to the inferior vena cava and superior to the upper pole of the right kidney. It has a linear, inverted V, or Y configuration (,Fig 3).
Which radiologic findings are characteristic of adrenal cancer?
These imaging features can be used by the radiologist to suggest or confirm a diagnosis for most adrenal masses, including adenoma, hyperplasia, simple and complicated cysts, lymphangioma, myelolipoma, pheochromocytoma, hemorrhage, cortical carcinoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, and metastases.