„Fight or Flight“ – die Nebennieren spielen eine zentrale Rolle im endokrinen und
autonomen Nervensystem des Menschen, indem sie z. B. Epinephrin und Kortisol sezernieren,
die den Körper auf Stressreaktionen vorbereiten. Raumforderungen wie adrenale Tumoren
können die Funktion der Nebennieren beeinträchtigen und zu endokrinen Dysbalancen
führen. Im Folgenden soll die Bedeutung der Bildgebung bei diesen Raumforderungen
erläutert werden.
Abstract
Adrenal incidentalomas encompass a diverse spectrum of lesions, ranging from predominantly
benign and hormonally inactive types to highly aggressive malignancies associated
with poor prognosis. These masses are often detected incidentally during imaging performed
for unrelated clinical indications. The prevalence of adrenal tumors is estimated
at 4% to 7%, with some regional variability. The majority of incidentalomas are benign,
with non-functioning adenomas being the most prevalent, even in oncologic populations.
Adrenocortical carcinoma, though rare, exhibits significant metastatic potential and
is associated with a poor prognosis. The frequent occurrence of clinically silent
adrenal metastases, typically identified during staging procedures, highlights the
imperative for precise and standardized diagnostic protocols. A multimodal and interdisciplinary
approach is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic decision-making.
Implementing standardized
algorithms that integrate both morphological and quantitative metrics, including size,
density, and growth kinetics, can enhance diagnostic consistency and accuracy, ultimately
improving patient outcomes.
Schlüsselwörter
Nebennierenraumforderung - Inzidentalom - Bildgebung
Keywords
adrenal masses - incidentaloma - imaging
