The role of ultrasonography in the detection of adrenal masses: comparison with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

To compare detection rates of adrenal tumors by ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonance image, we studied 61patients with adrenal tumor, who underwent adrenalectomy. In 45(73.8%) of the 61 patients, adrenal tumor was detected by ultrasonography. However, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging could detect all adrenal tumors. All adrenal tumors measuring more than 3.0 cm in diameter were detected by ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance image. When adrenal tumors were smaller than 3.0 cm, however,ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging correctly found adrenal tumors in 30 (65.2%) and 46(100.0%) of 46 patients and 30 (100.0%) of 30 patients,respectively. These facts suggest that ultrasonography seems to be an effective diagnostic procedure for the prevention of overlooking adrenal tumors larger than 3.0 cm.