Adrenal incidentaloma: report of 33 cases

J Surg Oncol. 1999 Apr;70(4):247-50. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199904)70:4<247::aid-jso9>3.0.co;2-o.

Abstract

Background and objectives: The aim of our study was to review the imaging characteristics, endocrinologic screening and histologic diagnoses of adrenal incidentaloma cases encountered in our institute.

Methods: Thirty-three adrenal incidentaloma cases that had been evaluated in Hacettepe University Hospital between 1985 and 1995 were reviewed retrospectively. Adrenal masses were discovered incidentally by abdominal ultrasonography (USG) and/or computed tomography (CT). Detailed endocrine evaluation was carried out to rule out a possible functioning mass.

Results: Among these incidentaloma cases, 2 silent Cushing syndrome (6.06%) cases, 6 silent pheochromocytoma (18.18%) cases, 2 adrenocortical carcinoma (6.06%) cases, and 2 metastatic masses (6.06%) were diagnosed.

Conclusions: An optimal diagnostic approach to an adrenal incidentaloma would consider the results of the biochemical tests and a review of anatomical qualities depicted on CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while taking into account the previous clinical epidemiologic data.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cushing Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Cushing Syndrome / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography