Adrenal metastasis

Changed by Ammar Haouimi, 3 Dec 2018

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Adrenal metastases are the most common malignant lesions involving the adrenal gland. Metastases are usually bilateral but may also be unilateral. Unilateral involvement is more prevalent on the left side (ratio of 1.5:1).

Epidemiology

They are present at autopsy in up to 27% of patients with known malignant epithelial tumours.

Pathology

Primary sites

Many primary tumours can potentially metastasise to the adrenal glands, commonly:

Other reported primary tumours include:

Radiographic features

CT

Adrenal metastases can have a variable CT appearances 4. They usually demonstrate less than 50% washout.

In patients with renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma who undergo dedicated adrenal CT imaging for known adrenal lesions, the enhancement washout of adrenal metastases can be similar to that of lipid-poor adrenal adenomas. As hypervascular lesions, they commonly show intense enhancement on the portal venous phase, usually more than 120 HU, and thus can be easily identified. 

MRI

Exact signal characteristics can vary depending on the type of tumour. In general, commonly described signal characteristics include:

  • T1: usually exhibit low signal intensity 2
  • T2:  often show high signal intensity 2
  • T1 C+ (Gd): usually has progressive enhancement after administration of contrast material 2

An important diagnostic feature is the lack of signal loss on out-of-phase images (in contradistinction to that seen with adrenal adenoma).

Practical points

  • on CT, metastases usually demonstrate less than 50% washout
  • if intense enhancement of more than 120 HU is identified in the portal venous phase, washout should be ignored, and a hypervascular lesion such as renal cell carcinoma or hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis should be considered
  • MRI: no signal loss on out-of-phase images
  • +<li>
  • +<a title="Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)" href="/articles/papillary-thyroid-cancer">papillary thyroid carcinoma</a> (rare)<sup>15</sup>
  • +</li>

References changed:

  • 15. Koutkia P & Safer J. Adrenal Metastasis Secondary to Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Thyroid. 2001;11(11):1077-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1089/105072501753271798">doi:10.1089/105072501753271798</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11762719">Pubmed</a>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.