Adrenal adenoma: Meaning in a Radiology Report

An adrenal adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) lump in an adrenal gland. It is very common and usually found by chance on a scan.

What it means

The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and make hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline. An adenoma is a benign growth of gland tissue. Many contain fat, which makes them look dark on CT (low Hounsfield units) and lose signal on a special MRI sequence. These features, or quick washout of contrast on a dedicated CT, let the radiologist call it an adenoma with confidence.

When it matters

Most adrenal adenomas are harmless, and most stay about the same size. Doctors usually check hormone levels once, because some make extra hormone, often in mild amounts. Extra cortisol or aldosterone can raise blood pressure or blood sugar. A nodule with the typical fat-rich look usually needs no more imaging. Doctors look more closely at nodules that lack clear adenoma features, especially larger ones, and at nodules that grow.

Questions to ask your doctor

Does the nodule have the typical features of a benign adenoma?
Should my hormone levels be tested, and which tests?
Could it be linked to my blood pressure or blood sugar?

General information, not medical advice. What a finding means for you depends on your symptoms, your history and the images themselves, so talk your results through with a doctor.