Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Radiology 6/2014

01-06-2014 | Urogenital

The value of 15-minute delayed contrast-enhanced CT to differentiate hyperattenuating adrenal masses compared with chemical shift MR imaging

Authors: Hyun Jung Koo, Hyuck Jae Choi, Hwa Jung Kim, Sun-Ok Kim, Kyoung-Sik Cho

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the diagnostic performance of 15-min delayed contrast-enhanced computed tomography (15-DECT) compared with that of chemical shift magnetic resonance (CSMR) imaging in differentiating hyperattenuating adrenal masses and to perform subgroup analysis in underlying malignancy and non-malignancy.

Methods

This study included 478 adrenal masses in 453 patients examined with 15-DECT and 235 masses in 217 patients examined with CSMR. Relative percentage washout (RPW) and absolute percentage washout (APW) on 15-DECT, and signal intensity index (SII) and adrenal-to-spleen ratio (ASR) on CSMR were measured. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 15-DECT and CSMR were analysed for characterisation of adrenal adenoma. Subgroup analyses were performed in patients with and without underlying malignancy. Attenuation and size of the masses on unenhanced CT correlated with the risk of non-adenoma.

Results

RPW calculated from 15-DECT showed the highest diagnostic performance for characterising hyperattenuating adrenal masses regardless of underlying malignancy, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 91.7 %, 74.8 % and 88.1 %, respectively in all patients. The risk of non-adenoma increased approximately threefold as mass size increased 1 cm or as its attenuation value increased by 10 Hounsfield units.

Conclusions

15-DECT was more accurate than CSMR in characterising hyperattenuating adrenal masses regardless of underlying malignancy.

Key Points

• Delayed contrast-enhanced CT and chemical shift magnetic resonance (CSMR) characterise adrenal lesions.
• 15-min DECT is more accurate than CSMR in characterising hyperattenuating adrenal masses.
• Sensitivity of CSMR decreases as the CT attenuation of adenomas increases.
• Risk of non-adenoma is increased 2.9-fold as size increased by 1 cm.
• Risk of non-adenoma is increased 2.9-fold as attenuation increased by 10 HU.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Song JH, Chaudhry FS, Mayo-Smith WW (2008) The incidental adrenal mass on CT: prevalence of adrenal disease in 1,049 consecutive adrenal masses in patients with no known malignancy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 190:1163–1168PubMedCrossRef Song JH, Chaudhry FS, Mayo-Smith WW (2008) The incidental adrenal mass on CT: prevalence of adrenal disease in 1,049 consecutive adrenal masses in patients with no known malignancy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 190:1163–1168PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Park BK, Kim CK, Kim B, Lee JH (2007) Comparison of delayed enhanced CT and chemical shift MR for evaluating hyperattenuating incidental adrenal masses. Radiology 243:760–765PubMedCrossRef Park BK, Kim CK, Kim B, Lee JH (2007) Comparison of delayed enhanced CT and chemical shift MR for evaluating hyperattenuating incidental adrenal masses. Radiology 243:760–765PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Blake MA, Kalra MK, Sweeney AT et al (2006) Distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses: multi-detector row CT protocol with 10-minute delay. Radiology 238:578–585PubMedCrossRef Blake MA, Kalra MK, Sweeney AT et al (2006) Distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses: multi-detector row CT protocol with 10-minute delay. Radiology 238:578–585PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Francis IR, Smid A, Gross MD, Shapiro B, Naylor B, Glazer GM (1988) Adrenal masses in oncologic patients: functional and morphologic evaluation. Radiology 166:353–356PubMed Francis IR, Smid A, Gross MD, Shapiro B, Naylor B, Glazer GM (1988) Adrenal masses in oncologic patients: functional and morphologic evaluation. Radiology 166:353–356PubMed
5.
go back to reference Mayo-Smith WW, Boland GW, Noto RB, Lee MJ (2001) State-of-the-art adrenal imaging. Radiographics 21:995–1012PubMedCrossRef Mayo-Smith WW, Boland GW, Noto RB, Lee MJ (2001) State-of-the-art adrenal imaging. Radiographics 21:995–1012PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Young WF Jr (2007) Clinical practice. The incidentally discovered adrenal mass. N Engl J Med 356:601–610PubMedCrossRef Young WF Jr (2007) Clinical practice. The incidentally discovered adrenal mass. N Engl J Med 356:601–610PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Zeiger MA, Siegelman SS, Hamrahian AH (2011) Medical and surgical evaluation and treatment of adrenal incidentalomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96:2004–2015PubMedCrossRef Zeiger MA, Siegelman SS, Hamrahian AH (2011) Medical and surgical evaluation and treatment of adrenal incidentalomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96:2004–2015PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Caoili EM, Korobkin M, Francis IR, Cohan RH, Dunnick NR (2000) Delayed enhanced CT of lipid-poor adrenal adenomas. AJR Am J Roentgenol 175:1411–1415PubMedCrossRef Caoili EM, Korobkin M, Francis IR, Cohan RH, Dunnick NR (2000) Delayed enhanced CT of lipid-poor adrenal adenomas. AJR Am J Roentgenol 175:1411–1415PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Caoili EM, Korobkin M, Francis IR et al (2002) Adrenal masses: characterization with combined unenhanced and delayed enhanced CT. Radiology 222:629–633PubMedCrossRef Caoili EM, Korobkin M, Francis IR et al (2002) Adrenal masses: characterization with combined unenhanced and delayed enhanced CT. Radiology 222:629–633PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Muth A, Hammarstedt L, Hellstrom M, Sigurjonsdottir HA, Almqvist E, Wangberg B (2011) Cohort study of patients with adrenal lesions discovered incidentally. Br J Surg 98:1383–1391PubMedCrossRef Muth A, Hammarstedt L, Hellstrom M, Sigurjonsdottir HA, Almqvist E, Wangberg B (2011) Cohort study of patients with adrenal lesions discovered incidentally. Br J Surg 98:1383–1391PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Merkle EM, Schindera ST (2007) MR imaging of the adrenal glands: 1.5T versus 3T. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 15:365–372PubMedCrossRef Merkle EM, Schindera ST (2007) MR imaging of the adrenal glands: 1.5T versus 3T. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 15:365–372PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Nakamura S, Namimoto T, Morita K et al (2012) Characterization of adrenal lesions using chemical shift MRI: comparison between 1.5 Tesla and two echo time pair selection at 3.0 Tesla MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 35:95–102PubMedCrossRef Nakamura S, Namimoto T, Morita K et al (2012) Characterization of adrenal lesions using chemical shift MRI: comparison between 1.5 Tesla and two echo time pair selection at 3.0 Tesla MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 35:95–102PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Siegelman ES (2012) Adrenal MRI: techniques and clinical applications. J Magn Reson Imaging 36:272–285PubMedCrossRef Siegelman ES (2012) Adrenal MRI: techniques and clinical applications. J Magn Reson Imaging 36:272–285PubMedCrossRef
14.
16.
go back to reference Low G, Sahi K (2012) Clinical and imaging overview of functional adrenal neoplasms. Int J Urol 19:697–708PubMedCrossRef Low G, Sahi K (2012) Clinical and imaging overview of functional adrenal neoplasms. Int J Urol 19:697–708PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Taffel M, Haji-Momenian S, Nikolaidis P, Miller FH (2012) Adrenal imaging: a comprehensive review. Radiol Clin North Am 50:219–243PubMedCrossRef Taffel M, Haji-Momenian S, Nikolaidis P, Miller FH (2012) Adrenal imaging: a comprehensive review. Radiol Clin North Am 50:219–243PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Choi YA, Kim CK, Park BK, Kim B (2013) Evaluation of adrenal metastases from renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: use of delayed contrast-enhanced CT. Radiology 266:514–520PubMedCrossRef Choi YA, Kim CK, Park BK, Kim B (2013) Evaluation of adrenal metastases from renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: use of delayed contrast-enhanced CT. Radiology 266:514–520PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Park BK, Kim B, Ko K, Jeong SY, Kwon GY (2006) Adrenal masses falsely diagnosed as adenomas on unenhanced and delayed contrast-enhanced computed tomography: pathological correlation. Eur Radiol 16:642–647PubMedCrossRef Park BK, Kim B, Ko K, Jeong SY, Kwon GY (2006) Adrenal masses falsely diagnosed as adenomas on unenhanced and delayed contrast-enhanced computed tomography: pathological correlation. Eur Radiol 16:642–647PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Park BK, Kim CK, Kwon GY, Kim JH (2007) Re-evaluation of pheochromocytomas on delayed contrast-enhanced CT: washout enhancement and other imaging features. Eur Radiol 17:2804–2809PubMedCrossRef Park BK, Kim CK, Kwon GY, Kim JH (2007) Re-evaluation of pheochromocytomas on delayed contrast-enhanced CT: washout enhancement and other imaging features. Eur Radiol 17:2804–2809PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Ramsay JA, Asa SL, van Nostrand AW, Hassaram ST, de Harven EP (1987) Lipid degeneration in pheochromocytomas mimicking adrenal cortical tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 11:480–486PubMedCrossRef Ramsay JA, Asa SL, van Nostrand AW, Hassaram ST, de Harven EP (1987) Lipid degeneration in pheochromocytomas mimicking adrenal cortical tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 11:480–486PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference van Erkel AR, van Gils AP, Lequin M, Kruitwagen C, Bloem JL, Falke TH (1994) CT and MR distinction of adenomas and nonadenomas of the adrenal gland. J Comput Assist Tomogr 18:432–438PubMedCrossRef van Erkel AR, van Gils AP, Lequin M, Kruitwagen C, Bloem JL, Falke TH (1994) CT and MR distinction of adenomas and nonadenomas of the adrenal gland. J Comput Assist Tomogr 18:432–438PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Outwater EK, Siegelman ES, Huang AB, Birnbaum BA (1996) Adrenal masses: correlation between CT attenuation value and chemical shift ratio at MR imaging with in-phase and opposed-phase sequences. Radiology 200:749–752PubMed Outwater EK, Siegelman ES, Huang AB, Birnbaum BA (1996) Adrenal masses: correlation between CT attenuation value and chemical shift ratio at MR imaging with in-phase and opposed-phase sequences. Radiology 200:749–752PubMed
24.
go back to reference Haider MA, Ghai S, Jhaveri K, Lockwood G (2004) Chemical shift MR imaging of hyperattenuating (>10 HU) adrenal masses: does it still have a role? Radiology 231:711–716PubMedCrossRef Haider MA, Ghai S, Jhaveri K, Lockwood G (2004) Chemical shift MR imaging of hyperattenuating (>10 HU) adrenal masses: does it still have a role? Radiology 231:711–716PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Park BK, Kim CK, Kim B, Choi JY (2007) Comparison of delayed enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of adrenal masses in oncology patients. J Comput Assist Tomogr 31:550–556PubMedCrossRef Park BK, Kim CK, Kim B, Choi JY (2007) Comparison of delayed enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of adrenal masses in oncology patients. J Comput Assist Tomogr 31:550–556PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Sangwaiya MJ, Boland GW, Cronin CG, Blake MA, Halpern EF, Hahn PF (2010) Incidental adrenal lesions: accuracy of characterization with contrast-enhanced washout multidetector CT—10-minute delayed imaging protocol revisited in a large patient cohort. Radiology 256:504–510PubMedCrossRef Sangwaiya MJ, Boland GW, Cronin CG, Blake MA, Halpern EF, Hahn PF (2010) Incidental adrenal lesions: accuracy of characterization with contrast-enhanced washout multidetector CT—10-minute delayed imaging protocol revisited in a large patient cohort. Radiology 256:504–510PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference McGahan JP (1988) Adrenal gland: MR imaging. Radiology 166:284–285PubMed McGahan JP (1988) Adrenal gland: MR imaging. Radiology 166:284–285PubMed
28.
go back to reference Fujiyoshi F, Nakajo M, Fukukura Y, Tsuchimochi S (2003) Characterization of adrenal tumors by chemical shift fast low-angle shot MR imaging: comparison of four methods of quantitative evaluation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 180:1649–1657PubMedCrossRef Fujiyoshi F, Nakajo M, Fukukura Y, Tsuchimochi S (2003) Characterization of adrenal tumors by chemical shift fast low-angle shot MR imaging: comparison of four methods of quantitative evaluation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 180:1649–1657PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Pena CS, Boland GW, Hahn PF, Lee MJ, Mueller PR (2000) Characterization of indeterminate (lipid-poor) adrenal masses: use of washout characteristics at contrast-enhanced CT. Radiology 217:798–802PubMedCrossRef Pena CS, Boland GW, Hahn PF, Lee MJ, Mueller PR (2000) Characterization of indeterminate (lipid-poor) adrenal masses: use of washout characteristics at contrast-enhanced CT. Radiology 217:798–802PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Candel AG, Gattuso P, Reyes CV, Prinz RA, Castelli MJ (1993) Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of adrenal masses in patients with extraadrenal malignancy. Surgery 114:1132–1136PubMed Candel AG, Gattuso P, Reyes CV, Prinz RA, Castelli MJ (1993) Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of adrenal masses in patients with extraadrenal malignancy. Surgery 114:1132–1136PubMed
31.
go back to reference Pantalone KM, Gopan T, Remer EM et al (2010) Change in adrenal mass size as a predictor of a malignant tumor. Endocr Pract 16:577–587PubMedCrossRef Pantalone KM, Gopan T, Remer EM et al (2010) Change in adrenal mass size as a predictor of a malignant tumor. Endocr Pract 16:577–587PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
The value of 15-minute delayed contrast-enhanced CT to differentiate hyperattenuating adrenal masses compared with chemical shift MR imaging
Authors
Hyun Jung Koo
Hyuck Jae Choi
Hwa Jung Kim
Sun-Ok Kim
Kyoung-Sik Cho
Publication date
01-06-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-013-3084-7

Other articles of this Issue 6/2014

European Radiology 6/2014 Go to the issue