Calcification in Suprarenal Neoplasms

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Abstract
Tumours arising from the suprarenal gland may be classified histologically into two welldefined groups: (a) Those derived from the adrenal cortex. (b) Those arising from the adrenal medulla. Tumours arising from the adrenal cortex are either adenomata or carcinoma. Either of these tumours may be associated with endocrine changes. From the adrenal medulla two main types of tumours arise—the neuroblastoma (sympatheticoblastoma) which is not associated with endocrine changes, and the pheochromaffinoma which, in view of its adrenaline secreting activity, may be the cause of paroxysmal hypertension. The assistance of the radiologist is almost invariably requested in the investigation of suprarenal tumours and in such circumstances the significance of calcification in the region of the suprarenal gland is often the source of much speculation. The purpose of this paper is to record a case of adrenal virilism due to an adenocarcinoma of the cortex in which massive calcification in the tumour was one of the presenting features. B.I., a female child, aged 12½ years, was brought for examination as the result of the gradual development of a husky voice for one year prior to examination. The onset of this change in the character of the voice had been attributed to a “heavy cold”, but despite the disappearance of the cold the voice had become distinctly masculine. Three months before examination it was noticed that the patient was becoming unduly hairy, which was later followed by well-marked facial acne.

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