Prenatal Assessment of Atypical Adrenal Glands: A Systematic Approach for Diagnosis

J Ultrasound Med. 2021 Aug;40(8):1719-1728. doi: 10.1002/jum.15536. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify specific unusual prenatal ultrasound (US) patterns of the adrenal gland and to propose a systematic approach for diagnosis. Six fetuses with unusual aspects of one or both adrenal glands, detected during routine prenatal US screening, were evaluated. Prenatal and postnatal management are described. A checklist of US features was created to perform a detailed analysis of adrenal lesions and guide prenatal management; this includes the time of appearance, location, growth, vascularization, structure, and presence of findings suggestive of malignancy.

Keywords: adrenal gland; counseling; magnetic resonance imaging; prenatal; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands* / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Ultrasonography
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*