[Adrenal metastases of bronchial cancer: value of x-ray computed tomography].

Up until now, adrenal metastases from bronchial cancer have always been an autopsy diagnosis with a frequency as high as 45%. These metastases can now be diagnosed by means of computed tomography of the adrenal glands and most of the recent studies report an incidence of 10 to 15% of adrenal metastases independently of the histological type of bronchial cancer. The authors stress the need to perform this examination in the context of pre-treatment staging and for the follow-up of bronchial cancer. The outcome of these adrenal metastases is still poorly understood, but prospective studies could provide more information concerning their prognostic significance. In cases of operable bronchial carcinoma with an isolated adrenal metastasis, it is important to be able to detect this lesion which may be able to be excised prior to the thoracic surgery.