Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Smith H, Hacking C, Gaillard F, Adrenal abscess. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-59421
Adrenal abscesses are rare lesions affecting the adrenal glands and are usually encountered in the setting of disseminated infection.
Epidemiology
Although cases have been described in both neonates and adults, no systematic literature is available on the epidemiology of adrenal abscesses.
Pathology
Haematogenous seeding of the adrenal gland is the most likely cause of an adrenal abscess. Infections from a range of organisms including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Norcardia spp. have been reported 1,2.
Radiographic features
CT
CT may show an inhomogeneous mass (owing to areas of necrosis within the abscess) that may rapidly increase in size. A rapid increase in the size of the lesion differentiates it from an adrenal tumour 3.
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1. Urrutia A, Santesmases J, Benítez RM, Areal J. Adrenal gland abscess due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. (2010) The Journal of infection. 60 (1): 88-9. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2009.10.050 - Pubmed
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2. Michael Tachezy, Philipp Simon, Corina Ilchmann, Yogesh K Vashist, Jakob R Izbicki, Karim A Gawad. Abscess of adrenal gland caused by disseminated subacute Nocardia farcinica pneumonia. A case report and mini-review of the literature. (2009) BMC Infectious Diseases. 9 (1): 194. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-9-194 - Pubmed
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3. Midiri M, Finazzo M, Bartolotta TV, Maria MD. Nocardial adrenal abscess: CT and MR findings. (1998) European radiology. 8 (3): 466-8. doi:10.1007/s003300050415 - Pubmed
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