Radioisotopic study of the adrenal glands using131I-19-iodocholesterol

Abstract

Scintigraphy of the adrenal gland with 131I-19-iodocholesterol was recently added to the group of radiological techniques in adrenal imaging and was used successfully to demonstrate anatomical and functional disorders of the adrenals in a variety of clinical situations. A review of the authors'' experience stresses the diagnostic value of this method. Radiological findings and results of scintillation imaging are complementary: their comparison improves and clarifies indications for scintigraphy. Hyperadrenal cortical diseases always gave satisfactory scintigrams, the most interesting results being obtained in adrenal cortical hyperplasia and unilateral hyperfunctioning adenomas. In these cases the evaluation of the response to stimulation or suppression tests was very useful. Scintigraphy was less valuable in demonstrating malignant and non-malignant tumors.