[Gammagraphic study of nodular adrenal hyperplasia]

An Med Interna. 1992 May;9(5):229-33.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

A common cause of the Cushing's Syndrome (CS) is nodular suprarenal hyperplasia (NSH), which is characterized by the presence of nodes in both suprarenal glands. Its pathophysiology is not well known and its diagnosis is quite difficult due to the heterogenicity of the biochemical and radiological data. We analyzed the suprarenal gammagraphies (SRG) of 7 patients with anatomopathological diagnosis of NSH. Bilateral uptake was observed in all cases and in five patients, such bilateral uptake presented a clear asymmetry. We believe that these observations demonstrate a bilateral suprarenal affectation and are of great use in order to orientate the diagnosis of NSH and, especially, in order to differentiate it from other suprarenal diseases causing CS, like adenomas, in which uptake is unilateral.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / metabolism
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology*
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Adult
  • Cholesterol
  • Cushing Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cushing Syndrome / etiology
  • Cushing Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism
  • Hyperplasia
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Cholesterol
  • Hydrocortisone