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Sonographic findings of adrenal cortical carcinomas in children

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Abstract

Fourteen children with adrenal cortical carcinoma were evaluated by ultrasonography. The neoplasms, 2.5 cm–19 cm in maximum diameter, were all well circumscribed. The four smaller lesions were either homogeneously hypoechoic (2 patients) or generally hyperechoic (2 patients). In the 10 patients with larger tumors, a complex predominantly echogenic pattern was demonstrated, eight of which contained radiating linear echoes, the “scar sign”. This finding, although not specific, when present in a large adrenal mass, is suggestive of a cortical carcinoma. Associated findings of vascular invasion or retroperitoneal adenopathy supported the diagnosis of a malignant adrenal neoplasm in 3 patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ultrasound Section, Centro Radiologico de Campinas, State University of Campinas (Unicamp)-Cidade Universitaria, Av. Andrade neves, 655, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil

    A. Prando, J. L. C. Marins & R. M. Pereira

  2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, State University of Campinas (Unicamp)-Cidade Universitaria, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil

    E. R. de Oliveira

  3. Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas System Cancer Center at Houston M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas, USA

    S. Wallace

Authors
  1. A. Prando
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  2. S. Wallace
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  3. J. L. C. Marins
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  4. R. M. Pereira
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  5. E. R. de Oliveira
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Prando, A., Wallace, S., Marins, J.L.C. et al. Sonographic findings of adrenal cortical carcinomas in children. Pediatr Radiol 20, 163–165 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012962

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012962

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