Perirenal Insufflation

With the increase in our knowledge of the syndromes produced by the "hormonal" tumors, the procedure of insufflation of the perirenal space for purposes of study of both adrenal glands has become a necessary measure in making a general investigation of the endocrine system. The procedure of perirenal insufflation was introduced by Carelli1in 1921 as a means of obtaining better contrast between the kidney and the surrounding tissues. Several others2immediately adopted the procedure for this purpose. However, nothing more was heard of the method until 1935, when Cahill3reported its value in outlining the adrenals in cases in which these glands were suspected of hypertrophy or of new growth. During the past year I have had occasion to employ the method, slightly modified, in cases in which the adrenal was suspected as the cause of paroxysmal hypertension, of Cushing's syndrome or of masculinism. Several interesting