‘Bright white’ signal on T2-weighted MRI in phaeochromocytoma

The image reveals a large left suprarenal mass. The appearances are typical of a phaeochromocytoma which, unlike most other adrenal tumours, demonstrates a distinctive ‘bright white’ signal on T2-weighted MRI.

In Cushing’s disease (corticotroph pituitary adenoma) bilateral adrenal hyperplasia may be seen on adrenal imaging.

Phaeochromocytoma is one component of the M.E.N. type 2 syndrome (medullary thyroid carcinoma, phaeochromocytoma, parathyroid hyperplasia) and not the M.E.N. type 1 syndrome (parathyroid hyperplasia, pancreatic tumours, pituitary tumours).