Adrenal lesions (differential)

Changed by Daniel J Bell, 13 Sep 2017

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Adrenal lesions cover a broad spectrum from benign to neoplastic entities. Due to increased use of cross-sectional imaging they are frequently detected as incidental lesions ("incidentalomas").

Radiology plays a significant role in differentiation. Cross-sectional imaging is the mainstay of imaging for identifying and assessing adrenal lesions, for which an algorithm to aid characterisation is helpful ⁵.

Small unilateral adrenal mass

adrenal adenoma: most common lesion detected on CT ^5-6
adrenal ~~metastases~~metastasis
phaeochromocytoma
asymmetric adrenal cortical hyperplasia
adrenal granulomatous disease
- tuberculosis
- histoplasmosis
adrenal myelolipoma

Large solid adrenal mass

Cystic lesions

adrenal cyst
- pseudocyst
- endothelial cyst
- epithelial cyst
- parasitic cyst

Other lesions

Other adrenal pathology

adrenal calcification
- Wolman disease

~~-<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastases</a></li>~~
+<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastasis</a></li>
~~-<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastases</a></li>~~
+<li><a href="/articles/adrenal-metastases">adrenal metastasis</a></li>
-<a href="/articles/extramedullary-hematopoiesis-in-the-adrenal-gland">e</a><a href="/articles/extramedullary-hematopoiesis-in-the-adrenal-gland">xtramedullary hematopoiesis in adrenal gland</a> <sup>7</sup>
+<a href="/articles/extramedullary-hematopoiesis-in-the-adrenal-gland">e</a><a href="/articles/extramedullary-hematopoiesis-in-the-adrenal-gland">xtramedullary haematopoiesis in adrenal gland</a> <sup>7</sup>

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