Abdominal Imaging for Adrenal Tumors

Adrenal CT or MRI are the most common ways to identify adrenal tumors.

Imaging characteristics of benign adrenal nodules:

• Well-Defined Borders: Benign nodules usually have clear and well-defined borders on imaging scans, making it easier to distinguish them from surrounding tissues.
• Low density / lipid rich: Benign nodules are often more fatty and less dense than the surrounding structures.
• Smooth and Regular Shape: They often appear round or oval with a smooth and regular shape. This contrasts with irregular shapes that might be seen in more worrisome nodules.
• Consistent Density: Benign nodules tend to have a consistent density on imaging, indicating that the tissue is uniform throughout and doesn't show signs of abnormal growth.
• Stable Size Over Time: In many cases, benign nodules remain the same size over time. Monitoring their size through follow-up imaging can help confirm their non-cancerous nature.
• Non-Invasive Appearance: They typically do not invade surrounding tissues or structures. This lack of invasion is a positive sign in distinguishing benign nodules from potentially harmful ones.

Adrenal tumors that are larger than 4 cm in size or are enlarging over time often need to be removed due to an increased risk of malignancy.