Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Adrenal Gland Biopsy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy

  • 1662 Accesses

Abstract

Adrenal gland lesions are common; however, not all lesions require biopsy. Located deep within the upper abdomen, the adrenal gland can be a technically challenging organ to biopsy. This chapter reviews the indications, different techniques, potential complications, and results of adrenal biopsy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Abrams HL, Spiro R, Goldstein N. Metastases in carcinoma; analysis of 1000 autopsied cases. Cancer. 1950;3:74–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Barzon L, Sonino N, Fallo F, et al. Prevalence and natural history of adrenal incidentalomas. Eur J Endocrinol. 2003;149:273–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kloos RT, Gross MD, Francis IR, et al. Incidentally discovered adrenal masses. Endocr Rev. 1995;16:460–84.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Arellano RS, Boland GW, Mueller PR. Adrenal biopsy in a patient with lung cancer: imaging algorithm and biopsy indications, technique, and complications. AJR. 2000;175:1613–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Berkman WA, Bernardino ME, Sewell CW, et al. The computed tomography-guided adrenal biopsy. An alternative to surgery in adrenal mass diagnosis. Cancer. 1984;53:2098–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Katz RL, Patel S, Mackay B, et al. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the adrenal gland. Acta Cytol. 1984;28:269–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Thomas JL, Barnes PA, Bernardino ME, et al. Diagnostic approaches to adrenal and renal metastases. Radiol Clin North Am. 1982;20:531–44.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Korobkin M. CT characterization of adrenal masses: the time has come. Radiology. 2000;217:629–32.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Dunnick NR, Korobkin M, Francis I. Adrenal radiology: distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses. AJR. 1996;167:861–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Young Jr WF. Clinical practice. The incidentally discovered adrenal mass. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:601–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Caoili EM, Korobkin M, Francis IR, et al. Adrenal masses: characterization with combined unenhanced and delayed enhanced CT. Radiology. 2002;222:629–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Korobkin M, Francis IR, Kloos RT, et al. The incidental adrenal mass. Radiol Clin North Am. 1996;34:1037–54.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Paulsen SD, Nghiem HV, Korobkin M, et al. Changing role of imaging-guided percutaneous biopsy of adrenal masses: evaluation of 50 adrenal biopsies. AJR. 2004;182:1033–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Uppot RN, Gervais DA, Mueller PR. Interventional uroradiology. Radiol Clin North Am. 2008;46:45–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Mansmann G, Lau J, Balk E, et al. The clinically inapparent adrenal mass: update in diagnosis and management. Endocr Rev. 2004;25:309–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Young Jr WF. Management approaches to adrenal incidentalomas. A view from Rochester, Minnesota. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2000;29:159–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Grumbach MM, Biller BM, Braunstein GD, et al. Management of the clinically inapparent adrenal mass (“incidentaloma”). Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:424–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Mazzaglia PJ, Monchik JM. Limited value of adrenal biopsy in the evaluation of adrenal neoplasm: a decade of experience. Arch Surg. 2009;144:465–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Casola G, Nicolet V, van Sonnenberg E, et al. Unsuspected pheochromocytoma: risk of blood-pressure alterations during percutaneous adrenal biopsy. Radiology. 1986;159:733–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Quayle FJ, Spitler JA, Pierce RA, et al. Needle biopsy of incidentally discovered adrenal masses is rarely informative and potentially hazardous. Surgery. 2007;142:497–502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Sood SK, Balasubramanian SP, Harrison BJ. Percutaneous biopsy of adrenal and extra-adrenal retroperitoneal lesions: beware of catecholamine secreting tumours! Surgeon. 2007;5:279–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hussain S. Gantry angulation in CT-guided percutaneous adrenal biopsy. AJR. 1996;166:537–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Van Sonnenberg E, Wittenberg J, Ferrucci Jr JT, et al. Triangulation method for percutaneous needle guidance: the angled approach to upper abdominal masses. AJR. 1981;137:757–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Yueh N, Halvorsen Jr RA, Letourneau JG, et al. Gantry tilt technique for CT-guided biopsy and drainage. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1989;13:182–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Arellano RS, Harisinghani MG, Gervais DA, et al. Image-guided percutaneous biopsy of the adrenal gland: review of indications, technique, and complications. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2003;32:3–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Heiberg E, Wolverson MK. Ipsilateral decubitus position for percutaneous CT-guided adrenal biopsy. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1985;9:217–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Karampekios S, Hatjidakis AA, Drositis J, et al. Artificial paravertebral widening for percutaneous CT-guided adrenal biopsy. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1998;22:308–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kane NM, Korobkin M, Francis IR, et al. Percutaneous biopsy of left adrenal masses: prevalence of pancreatitis after anterior approach. AJR. 1991;157:777–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Mody MK, Kazerooni EA, Korobkin M. Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy of adrenal masses: immediate and delayed complications. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1995;19:434–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Price RB, Bernardino ME, Berkman WA, et al. Biopsy of the right adrenal gland by the transhepatic approach. Radiology. 1983;148:566.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Bernardino ME, Walther MM, Phillips VM, et al. CT-guided adrenal biopsy: accuracy, safety, and indications. AJR. 1985;144:67–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Heaston DK, Handel DB, Ashton PR, et al. Narrow gauge needle aspiration of solid adrenal masses. AJR. 1982;138:1143–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Silverman SG, Mueller PR, Pinkney LP, et al. Predictive value of image-guided adrenal biopsy: analysis of results of 101 biopsies. Radiology. 1993;187:715–18.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Welch TJ, Sheedy 2nd PF, Johnson CD, et al. CT-guided biopsy: prospective analysis of 1,000 procedures. Radiology. 1989;171:493–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Masmiquel L, Hernandez-Pascual C, Simo R, et al. Adrenal abscess as a complication of adrenal fine-needle biopsy. Am J Med. 1993;95:244–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Gurley MB, Richli WR, Waugh KA. Outpatient management of pneumothorax after fine-needle aspiration: economic advantages for the hospital and patient. Radiology. 1998;209:717–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. McCorkell SJ, Niles NL. Fine-needle aspiration of catecholamine-producing adrenal masses: a possibly fatal mistake. AJR. 1985;145:113–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Valji K. Vascular and interventional radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2006. p. 508.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Katz RL, Shirkhoda A. Diagnostic approach to incidental adrenal nodules in the cancer patient. Results of a clinical, radiologic, and fine-needle aspiration study. Cancer. 1985;55:1995–2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Welch TJ, Sheedy 2nd PF, Stephens DH, et al. Percutaneous adrenal biopsy: review of a 10-year experience. Radiology. 1994;193:341–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Saboorian MH, Katz RL, Charnsangavej C. Fine needle aspiration cytology of primary and metastatic lesions of the adrenal gland. A series of 188 biopsies with radiologic correlation. Acta Cytol. 1995;39:843–51.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Lumachi F, Borsato S, Brandes AA, et al. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of adrenal masses in noncancer patients: clinicoradiologic and histologic correlations in functioning and nonfunctioning tumors. Cancer. 2001;93:323–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Wu HH, Cramer HM, Kho J, et al. Fine needle aspiration cytology of benign adrenal cortical nodules. A comparison of cytologic findings with those of primary and metastatic adrenal malignancies. Acta Cytol. 1998;42:1352–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Saeger W, Fassnacht M, Chita R, et al. High diagnostic accuracy of adrenal core biopsy: results of the German and Austrian adrenal network multicenter trial in 220 consecutive patients. Hum Pathol. 2003;34:180–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Harisinghani MG, Maher MM, Hahn PF, et al. Predictive value of benign percutaneous adrenal biopsies in oncology patients. Clin Radiol. 2002;57:898–901.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Phillips MD, Silverman SG, Cibas ES, et al. Negative predictive value of imaging-guided abdominal biopsy results: cytologic classification and implications for patient management. AJR. 1998;171:693–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. de Agustin P, Lopez-Rios F, Alberti N, et al. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the adrenal glands: a ten-year experience. Diagn Cytopathol. 1999;21:92–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Interventional Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1471, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA

    Alda Lui Tam MD, MBA, FRCPC

Authors
  1. Alda Lui Tam MD, MBA, FRCPC
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alda Lui Tam MD, MBA, FRCPC .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Vascular & Interventional Radiol., University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Kamran Ahrar

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology Section of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Sanjay Gupta

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tam, A.L. (2014). Adrenal Gland Biopsy. In: Ahrar, K., Gupta, S. (eds) Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8217-8_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8217-8_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8216-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8217-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation