Using a 7.5-MHz transducer positioned 1 to 2 cm from the adrenal gland, EUS and IOUS are particularly useful for detecting adrenal metastases and staging cancer. 1, 2 and 3 In addition, since the mid-1990s, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) have developed as tools for high-resolution sonography evaluation of suprarenal and retroperitoneal masses.
However, combining planar flexibility and improved beam-resolution capabilities of modern ultrasound equipment with maneuvering the patient into multiple positions increases the likelihood of producing quality sonographic images of the adrenal glands. Examination of the adrenal glands challenges the skills of novice and experienced sonographers alike and requires a working knowledge of exact adrenal anatomic locations and landmarks.
In contrast with other examinations of the abdomen, transabdominal sonographic imaging is not the first-choice imaging modality for screening adrenal glands or detecting adrenal pathology.
