Role of scintigraphy in differential diagnosis of adrenal lesions.

Adrenal lesions are a common finding in clinical practice. These are often accompanied by clinical symptoms due to hormone production, but can be incidentally discovered during imaging examinations performed for other reasons. We herein reviewed the techniques, indications and modalities of scintigraphy and morphological imaging, giving an insight of their practical implications for the physicians dealing with patients with adrenal lesions. Each component of the gland has different histological characteristic, requiring tailored radio-markers. The potential contribution of functional imaging is important, but it cannot replace a morphological evaluation. Preoperative assessment as well as follow-up protocols must include a functional scan. Morphological and functional imaging techniques are complementary, and combined with serological and clinical data are crucial to achieve optimal diagnosis and treatment of patients with adrenal lesions.