Nocardial adrenal abscess: CT and MR findings

Abstract.

To our knowledge, four bacterial adrenal abscesses in adults have already been reported in the international literature, but an adrenal Nocardia abscess has never been described previously. In this report the CT and MR imaging appearances and the differential diagnosis of the entity are discussed. The mass could resemble a malignancy. The observation of a rapid growth and colliquation of the mass helped in distinguishing it from a malignancy. The associated pulmonary infection provided a further clue to the diagnosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery.