CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) were to determine whether the adrenal glands are larger in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia than in those with aldosterone-producing adenomas or in healthy control subjects; and wheth...

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Autori principali: Lingam, R, Sohaib, SA, Vlahos, I, Rockall, A, Isidori, A, Monson, J, Grossman, A, Reznek, R
Natura: Journal article
Lingua:English
Pubblicazione: 2003
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author Lingam, R
Sohaib, SA
Vlahos, I
Rockall, A
Isidori, A
Monson, J
Grossman, A
Reznek, R
author_facet Lingam, R
Sohaib, SA
Vlahos, I
Rockall, A
Isidori, A
Monson, J
Grossman, A
Reznek, R
author_sort Lingam, R
collection OXFORD
description OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) were to determine whether the adrenal glands are larger in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia than in those with aldosterone-producing adenomas or in healthy control subjects; and whether a CT criterion based on adrenal gland size can be developed to positively diagnose bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of CT scans of 28 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism was performed. The means of two observers' measurements of adrenal gland size were recorded and compared with published normal values. In addition, a radiologist experienced in adrenal imaging and unaware of the cause of the primary hyperaldosteronism diagnosed either bilateral adrenal hyperplasia or aldosterone-producing adenoma by visual inspection. RESULTS: The adrenal glands in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia were significantly (p < 0.05) larger than those in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma or in healthy control subjects. A sensitivity of 100% was achieved when a mean limb width of greater than 3 mm was used to diagnose bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, and a specificity of 100% was achieved when the mean limb width was 5 mm or greater. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the overall performance of the radiologist and the mean adrenal limb width in detecting bilateral adrenal hyperplasia were equivalent. CONCLUSION: In patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, adrenal limb measurements on CT can aid in differentiating bilateral adrenal hyperplasia from aldosterone-producing adenoma because the adrenal glands in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia are larger.
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spelling oxford-uuid:793e9120-ed59-4d80-96b0-b763170b14932022-03-26T20:36:13ZCT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:793e9120-ed59-4d80-96b0-b763170b1493EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2003Lingam, RSohaib, SAVlahos, IRockall, AIsidori, AMonson, JGrossman, AReznek, ROBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) were to determine whether the adrenal glands are larger in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia than in those with aldosterone-producing adenomas or in healthy control subjects; and whether a CT criterion based on adrenal gland size can be developed to positively diagnose bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of CT scans of 28 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism was performed. The means of two observers' measurements of adrenal gland size were recorded and compared with published normal values. In addition, a radiologist experienced in adrenal imaging and unaware of the cause of the primary hyperaldosteronism diagnosed either bilateral adrenal hyperplasia or aldosterone-producing adenoma by visual inspection. RESULTS: The adrenal glands in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia were significantly (p < 0.05) larger than those in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma or in healthy control subjects. A sensitivity of 100% was achieved when a mean limb width of greater than 3 mm was used to diagnose bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, and a specificity of 100% was achieved when the mean limb width was 5 mm or greater. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the overall performance of the radiologist and the mean adrenal limb width in detecting bilateral adrenal hyperplasia were equivalent. CONCLUSION: In patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, adrenal limb measurements on CT can aid in differentiating bilateral adrenal hyperplasia from aldosterone-producing adenoma because the adrenal glands in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia are larger.
spellingShingle Lingam, R
Sohaib, SA
Vlahos, I
Rockall, A
Isidori, A
Monson, J
Grossman, A
Reznek, R
CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.
title CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.
title_full CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.
title_fullStr CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.
title_full_unstemmed CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.
title_short CT of primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): the value of measuring the adrenal gland.
title_sort ct of primary hyperaldosteronism conn s syndrome the value of measuring the adrenal gland
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