Course Description
The adrenal glands can be affected by a variety of lesions, and adrenal gland diseases pose significant diagnostic challenges due to the wide range of possible neoplastic and non-neoplastic pathologies. Adrenal gland lesions can either be primary, of adrenal origin, or secondary to other pathologies and can also provide clinical clues to the histologic diagnosis and the types of other diagnostic tests that may be required. Over the years, various imaging techniques have been developed that have increased diagnostic accuracy and helped to better characterize adrenal lesions noninvasively. To that end, radiologic technologists need to be well versed in the best imaging protocols and procedures for imaging patients with adrenal gland abnormalities and how to acquire the highest quality images for proper clinical interpretation. This continuing education course will review the vital roles of sonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in imaging and evaluating the adrenal glands. It will also review adrenal gland anatomy, benign and malignant lesion classifications and type, other diagnostic tests that might be needed, and clinical evaluation. A review of the functionality, basic and advanced imaging procedures, patient positioning, and protocols of sonography, CT, and MRI will be given as well as examples of all discussed adrenal gland lesions and how they appear on screen for each modality.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• IDENTIFY the function and anatomy of the adrenal glands.
• OUTLINE the clinical history, appropriate imaging studies, and laboratory tests used to determine the presence of adrenal gland abnormalities.
• RECALL the basic functionality, principles, instrumentation, safety parameters, and scanning protocols of sonography, CT, and MRI used in adrenal gland imaging.
• EXPLAIN the basic scanning protocols, patient positioning techniques, and concepts for performing adrenal gland sonography in neonates, pediatric, and adult patients.
• DIFFERENTIATE the most common types of benign and malignant adrenal gland lesions.
• EXPLAIN the roles of contrast-enhanced, noncontrast-enhanced CT, dual-energy CT, and spectral photon-counting CT used in identifying adrenal gland lesions.
• DESCRIBE the role of MRI and the appropriate scanning sequences and techniques, including chemical shift imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and other protocols used to evaluate the adrenal glands.

Categories: Sonography, CT, MR

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 27 out of 36 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 4.5 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for technical credits).

Texas Direct Credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.