Adrenal Glands

MR imaging of the pediatric adrenal gland allows for diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired abnormalities. This chapter reviews adrenal MR imaging physics and techniques, adrenal anatomy and embryology, as well as the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and imaging of common congenital and acquired adrenal pathology including discoid adrenal gland, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, testicular adrenal rest tumors, neuroblastic tumors (neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma), pheochromocytomas, adrenocortical carcinoma and adenomas, and adrenal hemorrhage. While there are areas of overlap in the MR imaging features of adrenal lesions with adults, an understanding of the common pediatric adrenal abnormalities and their clinical and imaging features helps in the diagnosis and treatment of affected infants and children.