[Computer assisted tomography of the normal and abnormal adrenal gland (author's transl)].

Initially, the hitherto existing radiographic methods of investigating the adrenal gland are demonstrated. Whole body CT opens a third dimension--in addition to being a non invasive method without risk. The normal CT findings of the adrenal gland are described, as well as the normal variants in shape and position. With help of morphometry and image manipulation, measurements of the size of the adrenal gland in 20 healthy patients were made and are being listed; and the respective normal variants as well as hypo- and hyperplasia are pointed out. Some examples serve to illustrate pathologic conditions, such as inflammation and benign and malignant primary and secondary neoplasia. Finally, the value of adrenal gland CT is discussed in reference to the other existing respective radiographic methods.