Chemical-shift MRI versus washout CT for characterizing adrenal incidentalomas.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in characterizing adrenal masses.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 45 adrenal masses in 38 patients underwent unenhanced CT, enhanced CT, and chemical-shift MRI. Sensitivities and accuracies using the lesion attenuation values, absolute or relative percentage washout for CT, and adrenal-to-spleen ratio or signal intensity index for MRI were calculated. Follow-up or histopathology was used as standard reference.

RESULTS

A total of 15 lipid-rich adenomas, 6 lipid-poor adenomas, and 24 nonadenomas were obtained. The sensitivities for adenoma on MRI versus CT were 81% and 95%, respectively. The specificities were 100%.

CONCLUSION

CT is superior to MRI in characterizing adenomas.