Computed tomographic findings of radiation-induced acute adrenal injury with associated radiation nephropathy: a case report. Issue 7 (8th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schieda, Nicola; Ramchandani, Parvati; Siegelman, Evan S
• Is Part Of: Acta radiologica short reports. Volume 2:Issue 7(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-11-08
• Subjects: Radiation -- radiotherapy -- kidneys -- adrenal glands -- nephropathy -- computed tomography; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiology -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.075705
• DOI: 10.1177/2047981613501305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-9816

Abstract

Radiation nephropathy was first recognized in 1906. The kidney is a radiosensitive organ with a tolerance dose (5% complications in 5 years) of 20 Gray. The imaging findings of acute and chronic radiation induced renal injury are previously described. Radiation-induced adrenal injury, to our knowledge, has not been described in the literature. Unlike the kidneys and other upper abdominal organs, the adrenal glands are traditionally thought to be radio-resistant, protected from radiation-induced injury by proximity to adjacent organs and by the adrenal medulla which reportedly has increased radio-resistance. We present the computed tomographic imaging findings of a patient with acute radiation induced adrenal injury which resulted in adrenal insufficiency following radiotherapy of an adjacent thecal metastasis.