[Computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in adrenal gland diseases].

Currently, the morphology of the adrenal glands can be demonstrated by different tomographic techniques: CT, MRI and ultrasound (US). The choice of the imaging modality and the examination procedure mainly depend on the suspected disease. In general, CT and MRI are superior to US due to the excellent visualization of the adrenals in nearly all circumstances, whereas sonography is strongly dependent upon the experience of the radiologist. Up to now CT is the procedure of choice in the evaluation of adrenal diseases with only minimal morphological disturbance, for example Conn's syndrome and hyperplasia. MRI and CT are nearly equivalent in the detection of adrenal masses larger than 2 cm in diameter, such as in Cushing's adenoma or pheochromocytoma. MRI has advantages compared with CT in the capability of tissue characterization, multiplanar imaging and in the visualization of blood vessels. For this reason MRI seems to be suitable for the distinction between adenomas and adrenal metastases.