Scintigraphic diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinomas

In 5 patients with histologically ascertained adrenocortical carcinomas 131I-cholesterol scintiscanning was employed. In one case the nuclide was not accumulated in the tumor. In comparing the results with reported cases accumulation of the nuclide could only be observed for tumors (adenomas as well as carcinomas) and metastases with hypercorticalism, showing different patterns for tumors with aldosteronism and with virilizing activity, resp. 131I-cholesterol scintiscanning is suited for preoperative side localization of the adrenocortical tumors and for postoperative course control (author)