OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of hyperattenuating adrenal glands on contrast-enhanced CT of polytraumatised patients.
METHODS: Two hundred ninety-two patients (195 men and 97 women, mean age 45.3 ± 23.3 years) were included in this retrospective study. CT examinations were performed 60 s after intravenous injection of contrast material. Image analysis was performed by two radiologists. Patients were assigned to one of two groups according to the attenuation of the adrenal gland [group 1: adrenal glands ≥ inferior vena cava (IVC); group 2: adrenal glands < IVC].
RESULTS: Eighteen patients (42.2 years ± 24.2) were assigned to group 1 and 274 patients (48.4 years ± 22.4) to group 2. The average adrenal density was 150.8 ± 36.1 HU in group 1 and 83.7 ± 23.6 HU in group 2 (P < 0.0001). Eight of the 18 patients in group 1 (44.4 %) and 33 of the 274 patients in group 2 (12.4 %) died during hospitalisation (P < 0.05). Mean adrenal enhancement was significantly higher in patients who died (101.9 ± 40.6 HU) compared with survivors (86.1 ± 27.0 HU; P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Hyperattenuation of adrenal glands is associated with a higher mortality rate in polytraumatised patients and may serve as a predictor of poor clinical outcome.
Written by:
Schek J, Macht S, Klasen-Sansone J, Heusch P, Kröpil P, Witte I, Antoch G, Lanzman RS. Are you the author?
Medical Faculty, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Dusseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
Reference: Eur Radiol. 2013 Oct 24. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s00330-013-3050-4
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24154793
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