Nocardial adrenal abscess: CT and MR findings

Eur Radiol. 1998;8(3):466-8. doi: 10.1007/s003300050415.

Abstract

To our knowledge, four bacterial adrenal abscesses in adults have already been reported in the international literature, but an adrenal Nocardia abscess has never been described previously. In this report the CT and MR imaging appearances and the differential diagnosis of the entity are discussed. The mass could resemble a malignancy. The observation of a rapid growth and colliquation of the mass helped in distinguishing it from a malignancy. The associated pulmonary infection provided a further clue to the diagnosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / microbiology*
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / surgery
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adrenalectomy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney Diseases / microbiology
  • Kidney Diseases / surgery
  • Lung Abscess / diagnosis
  • Lung Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrectomy
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Nocardia asteroides*
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenic Diseases / microbiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*