Adrenal abscess

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 28 Aug 2018

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Smith H, Hacking C, Gaillard F, Adrenal abscess. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-59421

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-59421

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/59421

rID:

59421

Article created:

8 Apr 2018, Hamish Smith

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Hamish Smith had no recorded disclosures.

View Hamish Smith's current disclosures

Last revised:

28 Aug 2018, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Urogenital

Adrenal abscesses are rare lesions affecting the adrenal glands and are usually encountered in the setting of disseminated infection.

Epidemiology

Although cases have been described in both neonates and adults, no systematic literature is available on the epidemiology of adrenal abscesses.

Pathology

Hematogenous seeding of the adrenal gland is the most likely cause of an adrenal abscess. Infections from a range of organisms including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Norcardia spp. have been reported ^1,2.

Radiographic features

CT

CT may show an inhomogeneous mass (owing to areas of necrosis within the abscess) that may rapidly increase in size. A rapid increase in the size of the lesion differentiates it from an adrenal tumor ³.