PET for adrenal masses – pro
A recent guideline considers PET to be Rating 1 of 9, the least appropriate for evaluating an adrenal mass. However several more recent studies suggest that PET is very sensitive and specific for adrenal masses. Other studies suggest a small but significant false negative rate.
Francis IR, Baumgarten DA, Bluth EI, Bush WH Jr, Casalino DD, Curry NS, Israel GM, Jafri SZ, Kawashima A, Papanicolaou N, Remer EM, Sandler CM, Spring DB, Fulgham P, Expert Panel on Urologic Imaging. Incidentally discovered adrenal mass. [online publication]. Reston (VA): American College of Radiology (ACR); 2007. 8 p. [48 references]
L. Groussin, G. Bonardel, S. Silvera, F. Tissier, J. Coste, G. Abiven, R. Libe, M. Bienvenu, J.-L. Alberini, S. Salenave, et al.
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for the Diagnosis of Adrenocortical Tumors: A Prospective Study in 77 Operated Patients
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2009; 94(5): 1713 – 1722.
G. W. L. Boland, M. A. Blake, N. S. Holalkere, and P. F. Hahn
PET/CT for the Characterization of Adrenal Masses in Patients with Cancer: Qualitative Versus Quantitative Accuracy in 150 Consecutive Patients
Am. J. Roentgenol., April 1, 2009; 192(4): 956 – 962.
Vikram, Raghunandan, Yeung, Henry D. W., Macapinlac, Homer A., Iyer, Revathy B.
Utility of PET/CT in Differentiating Benign from Malignant Adrenal Nodules in Patients with Cancer
Am. J. Roentgenol. 2008 191: 1545-1551