Normal Adrenal Gland Thickness on Computerized Tomography Among Indian Adults Living in Coastal Regions: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to establish the baseline reference range for normal adrenal gland thickness in Indian adults living in the coastal regions.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Department of Radiology, Vinayaka Missions Medical College & Hospital, Karaikal, Puducherry, India (tertiary healthcare facility) in south India between September 2022 and August 2023 among adult patients who underwent Computed Tomography (CT) of the upper abdomen.

Results: The present study included a total of 180 patients. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 49.4 years (17.6). More than half (57.8%) were males. The mean (SD) thickness of the right adrenal gland body was 7.4 millimetres (2.1), medial limb was 4.5 millimetres (1.3) and lateral limb was 4.7 mm (1.3). Similarly, the mean (SD) thickness of the left adrenal gland body was 9.1 mm (2.3), medial limb was 4.9 mm (1.0) and lateral limb was 5.1 mm (1.1). It was found that the left adrenal gland was larger than the right – the body of left adrenal gland was 1.7 mm larger than the right (p<0.001); the medial limb of left adrenal gland was 0.4 mm larger than the right (p=0.001); and the lateral limb of left adrenal gland was 0.4 mm larger than the right (p=0.002). Cumulatively, the left adrenal gland was 2.5 mm larger than the right adrenal gland – a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The mean (SD) thickness of the body, medial and lateral limb of male adrenal glands were larger than females – a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the age and adrenal right gland thickness had positive significant moderate correlation (r_s=0.426; p<0.001). Similarly, the age and left adrenal gland thickness had positive significant moderate correlation (r_s=0.456; p<0.001).

Conclusion: These findings contribute to the understanding of normal adrenal gland anatomy in the specified population, providing clinicians and radiologists with valuable reference ranges for interpreting adrenal imaging results.