Author Description

The vast amount of literature and rapid developments in the understanding and man agement of adrenal diseases have outpaced the ability of physicians to assimilate and utilize these advances in clinical settings. This book is designed to bring these developments to those interested in adrenal diseases and to assist clinicians in caring for patients with such diseases. The recent advances in the understanding of steroids, catecholamines, and utilization of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have rendered disease of the adrenal gland more rewarding in terms of early detection. Although a number of basic and clinical improvements have been achieved in these diseases, there are still a number of unresolved problems, including the lack of effective cytotoxic agents for therapy of various disseminated adrenal malignancies. The natural history of certain diseases of the adrenal glands and their proximity to the genitourinary system makes these essential organs very attractive to urologic surgeons. Furthermore, for a number of diseases such as adrenogenital syndrome, hypertension, and certain tumors of these glands it is obviously desirable that urologic surgeons are familiar with diseases of "the adrenal glands." The first part of this book is an overview of the relevant embryology, anatomy, physiology, markers, pathology, imaging, and current progress. The second part covers specific diseases of the adrenal cortex and medulla. We hope that this volume will assist the physician in the diagnosis and management of patients with adrenal disease.