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Lexicon for adrenal terms at CT and MRI: a consensus of the Society of Abdominal Radiology adrenal neoplasm disease-focused panel

  • Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, Retroperitoneum
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Abstract

Purpose

Substantial variation in imaging terms used to describe the adrenal gland and adrenal findings leads to ambiguity and uncertainty in radiology reports and subsequently their understanding by referring clinicians. The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized lexicon to describe adrenal imaging findings at CT and MRI.

Methods

Fourteen members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology adrenal neoplasm disease-focused panel (SAR-DFP) including one endocrine surgeon participated to develop an adrenal lexicon using a modified Delphi process to reach consensus. Five radiologists prepared a preliminary list of 35 imaging terms that was sent to the full group as an online survey (19 general imaging terms, 9 specific to CT, and 7 specific to MRI). In the first round, members voted on terms to be included and proposed definitions; subsequent two rounds were used to achieve consensus on definitions (defined as ≥ 80% agreement).

Results

Consensus for inclusion was reached on 33/35 terms with two terms excluded (anterior limb and normal adrenal size measurements). Greater than 80% consensus was reached on the definitions for 15 terms following the first round, with subsequent consensus achieved for the definitions of the remaining 18 terms following two additional rounds. No included term had remaining disagreement.

Conclusion

Expert consensus produced a standardized lexicon for reporting adrenal findings at CT and MRI. The use of this consensus lexicon should improve radiology report clarity, standardize clinical and research terminology, and reduce uncertainty for referring providers when adrenal findings are present.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Daniel I. Glazer, William W. Mayo-Smith & Atul B. Shinagare

  2. Imaging Institute and Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, A21, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Erick M. Remer

  3. Department of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Elaine M. Caoili

  4. Department of Radiology, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA

    Julie H. Song

  5. Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 660 First Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Myles T. Taffel

  6. Department of Radiology, University of Kentucky, 800 Rose St, HX 315, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    James T. Lee

  7. Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, 02215, USA

    Olga R. Brook

  8. Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, White 270, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Michael A. Blake

  9. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Khaled M. Elsayes

  10. Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Nicola Schieda

  11. Department of Radiology, Urology, and Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, 1959 N.E. Pacific St, Seattle, WA, USA

    Antonio C. Westphalen

  12. Department of Surgery, Davis Medical Center, University of California, 2279 45th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Michael J. Campbell

  13. Department of Radiology, Davis Medical Center, University of California, 4860 Y St, Ste 3100, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Michael T. Corwin

  14. Department of Imaging, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Daniel I. Glazer, William W. Mayo-Smith & Atul B. Shinagare

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  1. Daniel I. Glazer
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Correspondence to Daniel I. Glazer.

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Conflict of interest

Atul B. Shinagare has received consultant honoraria from Virtualscopics and Imaging Endpoints. All other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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Glazer, D.I., Mayo-Smith, W.W., Remer, E.M. et al. Lexicon for adrenal terms at CT and MRI: a consensus of the Society of Abdominal Radiology adrenal neoplasm disease-focused panel. Abdom Radiol 48, 952–975 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-022-03729-5

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