Adrenal Nodules Detected at Staging CT in Patients with Resectable Gastric Cancers Have a Low Incidence of Malignancy

Radiology. 2022 Jan;302(1):129-137. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2021211210. Epub 2021 Oct 19.

Abstract

Background Guidelines recommending additional imaging for adrenal nodules lack relevant epidemiologic evidence. Purpose To measure the prevalence of adrenal nodules detected at staging CT in patients with potentially resectable gastric cancer and the proportion of patients with malignant nodules among them. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 10 250 consecutive patients (median age, 63 years; interquartile range, 53-71 years; 6884 men) who underwent staging CT and had potentially resectable gastric cancer in a tertiary center (May 2003 to December 2018). All 10 250 CT studies were retrospectively reviewed, and patients with adrenal nodules (or thickening ≥10 mm) were identified to measure the prevalence of adrenal nodules. Among patients with adrenal nodules, the per-patient proportions of malignant nodules, adrenal metastasis from gastric cancer, and additional adrenal examinations were measured. A secondary analysis was performed by using data from the original CT reports. The same metrics that were used in the retrospective review were assessed. Results The prevalence of adrenal nodules was 4.5% (95% CI: 4.1, 4.9; 462 of 10 250). The proportions of malignant nodules and adrenal metastasis from gastric cancer were 0.4% ( 95% CI: 0.1, 1.6; two of 462) and 0% (95% CI: 0.0, 0.8; 0 of 462), respectively. A total of 27% of the patients (95% CI: 23, 31; 123 of 462) underwent additional adrenal examination. According to original CT reports, the prevalence of adrenal nodules and the proportions of malignant nodules, adrenal metastases from gastric cancer, and additional adrenal examination were 2.7% (95% CI: 2.4, 3.0; 272 of 10 250), 0.7% (95% CI: 0.1, 2.6; two of 272), 0% (95% CI: 0.0, 1.4; 0 of 272), and 42.6% (95% CI: 36.7, 48.8; 116 of 272), respectively. Conclusion Although adrenal nodules were detected frequently on staging CT images of patients with otherwise resectable gastric cancer, these nodules were rarely malignant. ©RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Baumgarten in this issue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Aged
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stomach Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*