CT Diagnosis of Adrenal Schwannoma
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5185.2015.10.008
- VernacularTitle:肾上腺神经鞘瘤的CT诊断
- Author:
Chun FANG
;
Lizhang WANG
;
Yanbao SUN
;
Xiaofeng YANG
;
Yanchun WANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Adrenal gland neoplasms;
Neurilemmoma;
Tomography,X-ray computed;
Pathology,surgicalb;
Diagnosis,differential
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging
2015;(10):751-753,757
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
PurposeAdrenal schwannoma is rare and quite difficult to diagnose before operation. This paper aims to analyze the CT findings of adrenal schwannoma to improve the recognition and diagnosis of this disease.Materials and Methods The CT findings of 6 patients with adrenal schwannomas proved by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results Four schwannomas were located in the right adrenal and 2 in the left adrenal. The tumors, with diameters ranging from 3.0 cm to 6.4 cm, mean (4.5±1.3) cm, had well-defined margin. The densities of all the masses were close to or slightly lower than those of kidneys on plain scan images, with mean CT attenuation value of (32±7) HU. Three masses showed homogeneous density and the other 3 were mildly heterogeneous with patches of lower density. All the 6 schwannomas were enhanced mildly or moderately after intravenous administration of contrast material and showed gradual enhancement mode. They showed mild homogeneous or flocculent enhancement on arterial phase and had gradual progress on venous and delayed phases. The mean increase of CT attenuation value was (13±2) HU on arterial phase, (18±4) HU on venous phase and (23±4) HU on delayed phase. Only 1 mass showed some patches of cystic degeneration without enhancement inside.Conclusion Adrenal schwannoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid nonfunctioning adrenal tumors. Features such as relatively homogeneous mass, mild to moderate enhancement and gradual enhancement mode after contrast enhancement are possibly the unique CT manifestations of adrenal schwannoma.
