Computed tomography of the normal adrenal gland. Pathologic implications.

Computed tomography of the adrenals from 100 selected patients and from adrenal models was used to investigate the morphology, anatomic relations, and transaxial imaging of the normal glands. The recorded data were correlated with the classical anatomy and with the relevant reports in the literature. A system of nomenclature which is felt to be best suited for describing normal and pathologic adrenals, besides being applicable to all specialties, is suggested. Some sources of diagnostic errors were disclosed by reviewing the concepts of the normal axial imaging in the light of pathologic adrenal characteristics.