Endocrine abdominal imaging

P Guest

Birmingham

Summer School 13-16 July 2004
St Anne's College, Oxford University, UK

This presentation will focus on the adrenal gland and neuroendocrine tumours.

Unenhanced CT, in- and opposed-phase MRI and FDG PET have differing roles in the differentiation of malignant and benign adrenal tumours. CT is the simplest non-invasive method of evaluating the adrenal gland in endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s and Conn’s but other methods such as radionuclide MIBG scanning are essential in the evaluation of phaeochromocytoma. The adrenal glands in Addison’s disease do not generally require imaging although this may be helpful when due to TB or metastatic disease.

Receptor imaging (e.g. octreotide) is important in the characterization and staging of neuroendocrine tumours particularly carcinoid and may help plan therapy.

In the evaluation of islet cell tumours of the pancreas there are advocates for CT and MR but endoscopic and intra-operative ultrasound are probably the most definitive imaging modalities.

The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society

Revised: 05-Nov-2004