Which condition is commonly diagnosed with an adrenal arteriography?

Adrenal arteriography, also known as adrenal angiography, is a diagnostic imaging technique specifically used to visualize the blood vessels supplying the adrenal glands. One of the primary conditions for which adrenal arteriography is utilized is pheochromocytoma, which is a tumor of the adrenal gland that produces excessive catecholamines, leading to symptoms such as hypertension, palpitations, and sweating.

The procedure allows clinicians to assess the vascular supply to the adrenal glands and can help in identifying the presence of pheochromocytoma, as these tumors are typically highly vascularized. This imaging technique is particularly beneficial for both the diagnosis and surgical planning when a pheochromocytoma is suspected.

While conditions like Addison's disease, hyperaldosteronism, and Cushing's syndrome are related to adrenal gland dysfunction, they are not primarily diagnosed through adrenal arteriography. Addison's disease involves adrenal insufficiency, hyperaldosteronism is related to excess aldosterone production (often evaluated through hormone assays), and Cushing's syndrome is characterized by excess cortisol production, which is typically assessed through biochemical tests and imaging studies like CT or MRI, rather than arteriography focused on blood vessel assessment.

Thus, the use of adrenal arteriography is most