A series of 16 patients with adrenal masses were biopsied percutaneously under computed tomography (CT) guidance with 18‐ to 22‐gauge modified Chiba needles. Adrenal adenomas, cysts, metastases, melanoma, and adrenal hemorrhage were identified. Of nine oncologic patients, four had adrenal metastases, while five had other nonmalignant adrenal masses. Thus, an adrenal mass in an oncologic patient is not always metastases. No complications occurred. The diagnostic evaluation of an adrenal mass in selected cases should include CT‐guided percutaneous aspiration as a safe and reliable alternative to open surgical biopsy. CT‐guided biopsy can be performed as an outpatient procedure, avoiding the cost of hospitalization and the morbidity of surgery.
A transhepatic computed-tomographic-guided biopsy of a right adrenal mass is described. This method is simpler to perform than the usual posterior biopsy carried out with the patient prone and is less likely to cause a complicating pneumothorax. In seven of eight patients with right adrenal masses, adrenal tissue was obtained and an accurate diagnosis was possible. No complications resulted.
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