IMAGING OF THE ADRENAL-GLAND IN CHILDREN

Ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have replaced intravenous urography and angiography in e valuation of children with suspected disease of the adrenal glands. Al though the spatial resolution of MR imaging is still somewhat inferior to that of CT, it allows tissue characterization and better evaluatio n of tumor extension owing to its multiplanar imaging capability. Init ial diagnosis of an adrenal mass in a child is made with US, which is also used to document regression of uncomplicated neonatal adrenal hem orrhage. MR imaging is used for evaluation of tumor extension when sur gery is to be performed. Imaging findings such as size, shape, and sig nal intensity are often not specific for a pathologic condition and mu st be interpreted in conjunction with the patient's age, the clinical history (eg, trauma), results of physical examination (eg, palpable ma ss or presence of an endocrine syndrome), and hormone levels in blood and urine.