14/08/2026
The adrenal glands can be some of the trickiest structures to pin down on ultrasound, and this week's question is one I get a lot: am I near the right adrenal gland?
Here's what I'm looking for to work out where we are:
✔️ The caudal vena cava, and whether it's being compressed (if it is, that rules out the aorta)
✔️ The aorta itself, sitting just below
✔️ An occasional glimpse of the left renal artery in this region
In this spot, what's being picked up is actually the left adrenal gland. So we need to move a bit more cranial and closer to the caudal vena cava. There's some ascending colon here too, casting gas artefact, and that's getting in the way. I suspect the right adrenal is sitting just behind this, and there's potentially something in this structure, but I'd want more clarity before confirming.
The honest answer? We're really close, and in the right sort of region. But this is exactly where it's easy to mistake the left adrenal gland for the right one, so it's worth taking your time here.
✔️ Put some pressure on to get past that ascending colon
✔️ Or try coming over the top and pushing down instead
Great work, and we're really close 👏 Keep sending those images in, there's a bonus in it if we can manage it!
Want feedback on your own scans? Click the link below for details on how to submit an image or cine loop, you might feature in a future FOVU Feedback Friday 👇
https://form.jotform.com/250646882585369
Camilla x
