Comparative assessment of ultrasonography and computed tomography in adrenal disorders.

Comparative diagnostic assessment by ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) was performed in each of 17 patients with adrenal disorders. US is better than CT for demonstrating the intratumorous characteristics, the relationship between the tumor and the surrounding organs, and the organ from which large tumors arise, such as pheochromocytoma. On the other hand, CT is better able to detect small adrenal tumors in primary aldosteronism, although US with a sector or linear scanner can also detect small tumors in some cases. Adrenal hyperplasia in both Cushing's disease and congenital adrenogenital syndrome was more easily demonstrated by CT than by US. Of the two US instruments, a sector scanner was more useful in the delineation of the enlarged right nontumorous adrenal by scanning from the right intercostal region, but both scanners were of no use in the delineation of the enlarged nontumorous left adrenal in patients with obesity.