Abstract: Objective  To explore the multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) features of adrenal tuberculosis in order to improve the CT diagnosis level.  Methods  The MSCT findings of 13 patients with adrenal tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed.  Results  Patients characteristics:  13 patients, 8 male and 5 femal; age range from 20 to 58 years; mean age 42 years. The CT findings: bilateral adrenal tuberculosis in 12 patients, unilateral in 1 case; mass-like increase of adrenal in 10 cases, mild or moderate increase in 3 cases with intact contours; adrenal glands enlargement with uniform density in 1 case, non-uniform enlargement in 12 cases; peripheral enhancement in 11 cases. After treatment,  CT scan showed that the size of bilateral adrenal glands in 1 case shrunk or returned to normal and the low-density disappeared. Nine patients received anti-TB treatment before and after surgery. Enlargement of adrenal glands and the uneven density of the flat circular mass were the features of 9 early adrenal tuberculosis cases with peripheral enhancement and marked enhancement of its internal lines and clear edge. Advanced adrenal tuberculosis of 4 cases showed atrophy of glands and calcification. Eight patients had extra-adrenal  tuberculosis, including lung(4 cases), urinary (2 cases), spinal tuberculosis(1 cases) and involement with pulmonary, left kidney, and spinal (1 case).  Conclusion  The MSCT findings of adrenal tuberculosis are typical. If the adrenal changes present  in patients with multi-organ tuberculosis should be considered the diagnosis of adrenal tuberculosis which will provide a guidence for treatment and  efficacy evaluation in clinical.

Key words: Adrenal gland diseases, Tuberculosis,endocrine/radiography, Tomography,spiral computed