Suprarenal mass and its differential diagnosis

Robotic surgery for malignant and large adrenal masses: A doable and safe option

Background

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently considered the gold standard method for adrenal surgery. Open surgery is the most frequent technique preferred amongst surgeons who are faced with tumours of larger sizes or challenging lesions. Despite the increasing interest in laparoscopy, most centres still utilise open surgery for challenging adrenal cases.

Patients

and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated our successive 30 robotic adrenalectomies performed in the past 10 years and assigned the patients into 'difficult' and 'easy' groups. Patients with malignant tumours or tumour size of over 8 cm were assigned to the 'difficult group' and others to the 'easy group'. Groups were evaluated according to the demographic features of the patients, side of the operation, the body mass index (BMI) and laparotomy history. The duration of anaesthesia, amount of bleeding during surgery and the hospitalisation periods were also evaluated.

Results

There is no statistically significant difference between the two groups considering age, gender, BMI value, operation side, presence or absence of a laparotomy history, the amount of bleeding during the operation and hospitalisation duration (P > 0.05). The anaesthesia duration was found to be higher in the 'difficult' patient group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results present robust evidence to support the idea that robotic adrenalectomy is not only a doable but also a safe option for malignant and large adrenal masses.

A huge haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocyst: an unusual presentation of a rare condition

Haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocysts are very rare and are often incidental findings at surgery or autopsy, though they can sometimes present with predominantly gastrointestinal or endocrine symptoms, including intraperitoneal bleeding or sepsis. Our case report is of a 48-year-old man who presented at our primary healthcare centre with 2-month history of predominantly respiratory symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. CT scan revealed a suprarenal cyst measuring 14.2×13.5×13.1 cm for which he was operated and made a full recovery. A detailed literature review reveals that there has never been a case of a haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocyst presenting with predominantly respiratory symptoms, which is why we decided to document this case report.

Adrenal Failure Due to Bilateral Metastases as the Sole Manifestation of Relapsing Lung Carcinoma. Report of Two Cases

We describe two patients with lung carcinoma in whom adrenal glands were the sole site of tumor relapse, revealed by the appearance of Addison's disease. Both patients showed bilateral adrenal masses on US and/or CAT scans and received hormone replacement therapy, with rapid improvement of their general conditions. One of them, with small-cell carcinoma, could also be treated with further chemotherapy and achieved a second remission. Therefore, we stress that patients with lung carcinoma should be periodically screened for adrenal deposits by US or CAT and undergo prophylactic steroid maintenance whenever metastatic involvement of the glands is detected.

Treatment of massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage from adrenal metastasis of hepatoma

Spontaneous rupture of metastatic adrenal tumor with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage and shock is an uncommon clinical event. Herein, we report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where left hepatic lobectomy and right adrenalectomy for metastatic HCC were performed in April and August 2002, respectively. Subsequently, the patient presented to the emergency room with acute-onset severe left flank and back pain in March 2004, accompanied by a falling hemoglobin level. Computed tomography revealed a 7-cm left adrenal tumor mass with retroperitoneal hemorrhage. The ruptured adrenal tumor was further confirmed by selective angiography, which demonstrated that the bleeder was supplied by the left suprarenal artery. Transarterial embolization (TAE) to stop tumor bleeding was performed successfully. The patient then underwent tumor resection with left adrenalectomy 5 days after the embolization, with pathology subsequently revealing metastatic HCC. The recurrent intrahepatic HCC was controlled with TAE, and the patient underwent hormone replacement therapy with prednisolone 10 mg/day. Metastatic adrenal tumor bleeding should be suspected in hepatoma patients who suffer abrupt flank pain and shock. Hemodynamically unstable patients require supportive transfusions and urgent surgical exploration. Angiographic embolization, if deemed feasible, may be a valuable adjunct for achievement of hemostasis prior to definite surgery.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy--indications and technique

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the procedure of choice for the surgical management of most adrenal tumors, including functional and non-functional lesions. The role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the management of malignant adrenal tumors is controversial and most adrenocortical cancers are generally treated by open adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed by both the anterior or lateral trans-abdominal approach and by the lateral or posterior retro-peritoneal approach, with each method being suitable for specific indications. Although there are no randomized trials comparing laparoscopic with open adrenalectomy, the laparoscopic approach is associated with shorter hospital stay, reduced pain and improved cosmesis. This review discusses the indications and contraindications, technique and outcomes for laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Mature cystic teratoma involving adrenal gland

A mature cystic teratoma presented as an adrenal mass in a 57-yr-old woman. The tumor was found to be predominantly paraadrenal but focally interrupted the adrenal cortex so that an intraadrenal origin could not be ruled out. Similar lesions have been reported extremely rarely and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hormonally silent adrenal tumors. The findings of rimlike calcification and fatty density on computed tomography may be helpful diagnostically.

Adrenal incidentaloma

Because of the frequent use of computed tomography and other abdominal imaging modalities, clinicians more frequently see the incidentally discovered, clinically silent adrenal mass. Most adrenal incidentalomas should be evaluated for hormonal activity and assessed for their risk of malignancy. Adrenalectomy is indicated for hyperfunctioning tumors and for any potential primary malignant adrenal lesion. Nonfunctioning cortical adenomas < 4 to 5 cm in size should be followed clinically and radiographically. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been used increasingly as the preferred approach in patients who require surgical resection whereas open adrenalectomy is reserved for patients with large, malignant tumors. The indications for adrenalectomy in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal tumors should not be liberalized because of the laparoscopic approach.

Management of Adrenal Cysts

Adrenal cysts have been traditionally managed by excision to rule out malignancy. We reviewed the 613 cases of adrenal cysts (including 6 new cases of our own) to evaluate whether this is still appropriate. Descriptive statistics and distribution of each pathologic type have been updated, based on 515 cases, and have changed from statistics compiled on 155 cases by G. A. Absehouse et al. Only seven per cent of all adrenal cysts are malignant or potentially malignant. There is only one reported case of a malignancy found in a nonfunctioning adrenal cyst that was initially thought to be benign. In this case, no CT or aspiration was performed. There have been 19 cases of adrenal cysts managed with aspiration. All were nonfunctioning and benign. One had a bloody aspirate. Reaccumulation occurred in 32 per cent of the cases (six cases); six per cent were symptomatic, four per cent were excised. Follow up was available in 15 cases from 4 months to 3.5 years. Management of the patient with a suspected adrenal cyst should include a careful history and physical and biochemical screening to rule out a functioning lesion. A CT scan, and aspiration of the cyst with a cystogram should be performed to confirm a simple cyst of the adrenal. If the suspicion of malignancy is low, and the lesion is nonfunctional, the adrenal cyst may be managed by aspiration alone. If the cyst recurs and is asymptomatic, it may be observed. If a symptomatic cyst recurs, it may be reaspirated or excised.

Sixty adrenal masses of large dimensions: hormonal and morphologic evaluation

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the nature and function of adrenal masses of large dimensions (macrotumors).

METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients (31 women, 29 men, age range 15 to 84 years) with adrenal masses 4.0 cm in diameter or larger (range 4.0 to 15.0 cm) underwent morphologic study by computed tomography (CT); the majority also underwent 131-I-6beta-norcholesterol (131I-NC) or 131I-MIBG scintigraphy. Basal evaluation of glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids, and catecholamines was performed in all patients, and in 38 cases determination of androgens was also made. In addition, on the basis of various clinical suspicions, a dynamic hormonal study was performed.

RESULTS

Macrotumors were benign in 78.3% of cases and included pheochromocytomas (n = 17), nonfunctioning cortical adenomas (n = 12), and cortisol-secreting tumors (n = 7, Cushing's syndrome). Malignant forms were 21.7% of the total, including pheochromocytomas (n = 3), cortical carcinomas (n = 6), and metastases (n = 4). On CT, malignant masses were larger (8.4+/-0.9 cm) than benign ones (5.7+/-0.3 cm) (P < 0.0001) and the mass size was strictly related to malignancy (P < 0.03). CT did not offer other diagnostic criteria for malignancy, except irregular margins and regional lymph node enlargement, which were more frequently (P < 0.0001) found in malignant forms. 131I-MIBG scintigraphy showed tracer uptake in all pheochromocytomas, both benign and malignant. By contrast, on 131I-NC scintigraphy, cortical malignancies never accumulated the radiotracer, whereas uptake was observed in all cases of solid cortical benign adenomas. Patients with cortical carcinomas showed plasma sex steroids above the normal range, pheochromocytomas were asymptomatic in 15% of cases, and almost half of the patients with Cushing's syndrome did not show clinical features of the disease (pre-Cushing's syndrome).

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal macrotumors frequently show endocrine activity and the medulla seems to be involved more than the cortex. Pheochromocytomas and cortisol-secreting adenomas are sometimes asymptomatic. Malignancy is often found in macromasses and, at least for the cortical forms, size of the tumor on CT, 131I-NC uptake on scintigraphy, and determination of levels of sex steroids seem to be useful criteria for predicting the nature of the mass.

Clinical impact of adrenal expansive lesions in bronchial carcinoma

PURPOSE

To estimate the prevalence of adrenal expansive lesions in patients with bronchial carcinoma, and assess the relationships among adrenal masses, TNM classification, and histology of the bronchial carcinoma, and to reveal other signs of inoperability in these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CT findings of the thorax and upper abdomen in 96 patients with bronchial carcinoma were reviewed. Brain- and upper abdominal metastases, together with TNM classification and histology of the bronchial carcinoma, was recorded. CT was performed with 10-mm slice thickness from the thorax aperture to the renal hilum under i.v. contrast medium injection.

RESULTS

Eight adrenal expansive lesions (1.5-10 cm, mean 4.6 cm) were revealed in 6 of the 96 patients (6.3%). Two of these patients, classified as N0, had metastases in other organs; one had brain metastases and the other liver metastases. The bronchial carcinomas in the remaining 4 patients were classified as N3. Three of the patients had adenocarcinoma, one each of small-cell-, large-cell-, and unclassified bronchial carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma was most common in the total patient population, but no patient with adrenal masses showed this histologic type.

CONCLUSION

The finding of adrenal expansive lesions in bronchial carcinoma has little clinical impact, because these patients usually show other signs of inoperability. Hence, the value of upper abdominal CT as a routine examination is questionable.

Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing Normal and Neoplastic Human Adrenal Cortex

Four monoclonal antibodies (MAb) were generated by immunization of mice with dispersed cells from normal human adrenal gland (Na) and adrenocortical adenoma causing cortisol excess (Ac). Immunohistochemically reacted cryosections revealed differential labeling of the normal cortical parenchyma, and immunofluorescence on dispersed cells displayed that Ac5 alone labeled the cell surface. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the antibodies recognized apparently different structures of 51-88 kDa. Immunohistochemical examination of several normal human tissues substantiated restricted reactivity, especially for the Na2 and Na7 antibodies, and that the adrenal medulla was not stained by any of the antibodies. The antibodies recognized the vast majority of the parenchymal cells of cortical adenomas (n = 21). Each antibody also reacted with all adrenocortical carcinomas (n = 17), and the staining generally was most intense and extensive with Na7. Analysis of other pathological human tissues revealed highly restricted reactivity for the Na2 antibody. Na2 and Na5 failed to stain 17 renal cell carcinomas. None of the antibodies recognized pheochromocytomas. These antibodies may lead to improved histological recognition and characterization of human adrenal lesions.

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland associated with contralateral renal cell carcinoma: case report and review of the literature

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign hormonally inactive tumor. It is frequently detected incidentally on new imaging procedures, such as sonography and computerized tomography and, thus, the question of treatment arises. The association of myelolipomas with obesity, hypertension and malignant tumors has been described previously. We report the second case of myelolipoma associated with renal cell carcinoma. Pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

Differential diagnosis of solid adrenal masses using adrenocortical scintigraphy

To evaluate the diagnostic contribution of adrenal scintigraphy with 75-Se-selenomethylcholesterol in adrenal masses, 42 patients have been studied. All of them had a solid adrenal mass discovered on computed tomography (seven bilateral). None of the patients showed any symptoms or clinical signs that might indicate the existence of adrenal dysfunction. Twenty-nine of them had known extra-adrenal primary malignant disease. Forty-nine adrenal tumours were detected with an average size of 3.29 cm (range 1.5-12 cm). Eighteen lesions showed increased uptake of radiocholesterol on the side of the adrenal mass, all of which were either proven to be benign, or behaved in a benign fashion. Twelve lesions showed normal uptake (10 in the benign group and one lung carcinoma metastasis), all but one (2.5 cm) being smaller than 2 cm. Decreased uptake was observed in 20 lesions (15 metastases, two nonfunctional adrenal carcinomas, one myelolipoma and two tuberculous infectious lesions). Adrenocortical scintigraphy provides functional information about adrenal masses and is useful in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions.

Giant symptomatic myelolipoma of the adrenal gland

A case of giant symptomatic myelolipoma is described in which clinical differentiation was difficult. It was considered to be an extremely rare case of giant myelolipoma arising in the adrenal gland. Histologically the present case contained more lipomatous elements than others reported to data. This is a case of giant adrenal myelolipoma with a few foci of myeloid elements and it is suggested that this case has a true neoplastic nature rather than a hyperplastic or metaplastic one.

The role of adrenocortical scintigraphy in the evaluation of unilateral incidentally discovered adrenal and juxtaadrenal masses

We reviewed the findings of adrenocortical scintigraphy with 131I-6-beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NCL-6-131I) of 39 patients to clarify its role in the evaluation of unilateral adrenal or juxtaadrenal masses incidentally discovered by CT, ultrasonography or plain radiography. Twenty-seven benign adrenal masses showed various scintigraphic findings (hot nodule: 12 silent adenomas, warm nodule: one solid mass, normal appearance: one cyst and 2 solid masses, diffuse decrease: each one; solid mass, myelolipoma, ganglioneuroma and calcified adrenal and partial or complete defect: each one; solid mass, myelolipoma and ganglioneuroma and 2 cysts and 2 pheochromocytomas); while a partial or complete defect was shown in a nonfunctioning carcinoma and 3 metastases and a complete defect or inhomogeneous uptake without opposite adrenal visualization was shown in 2 patients with cortisol-producing carcinoma. Therefore a hot nodule and an inhomogeneous uptake or complete defect with nonvisualization of the opposite adrenal are specific to a benign tumor and a cortisol-producing carcinoma, respectively. The impaired tumor uptake of NCL-6-131I is a nonspecific finding. The scintigraphic findings of juxtaadrenal masses were normal in 4 and deviated adrenals in 2. Thus adrenocortical scintigraphy can identify silent adenomas and cortisol-producing carcinomas among the adrenal masses and may help to differentiate juxtaadrenal from adrenal masses.

Massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage from adrenal gland metastasis

We report an unusual case of spontaneous massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage from an adrenal gland metastasis. After medical therapy failed to stabilize the patient's condition, surgical exploration revealed a large retroperitoneal hematoma arising from a right adrenal gland metastasis. At the time of thoracoabdominal exploration in the lower lobe of right lung a small tumor nodule was palpated and resected. Pathologic examination of both lung and abdominal lesions revealed squamous cell carcinoma thought to have been primary in the lung. A review of the literature reveals that metastatic lesions to the adrenal gland are infrequently encountered clinically and rarely hemorrhage; the first such case in which massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage was a complication is reported in the urologic literature.

Conservative and surgical management of incidentally discovered adrenal tumors (incidentalomas)

Of 50 patients with incidentalomas (INC), 18 were adrenalectomized and in 18 patients the INC was left in place. For 14 patients clinical data were insufficient for evaluation. Follow-up investigation of the 18 unoperated subjects 11-101 months (median 32.2) after the diagnosis had been made revealed unchanged size of the INC [initially 2.1 +/- 0.8 cm (mean +/- SD) at follow-up 2.0 +/- 1.0 cm]. Cushing's syndrome developed in one patient, which was not evident at the initial discovery of the INC 32 months before. "Pre-Cushing's Syndrome" was detected in 1 patient and confirmed in a second who had displayed a pathologically high dose dexamethasone suppression test 101 months before. In addition, 3 male patients with a hitherto unknown mild subclinical defect of 21-hydroxylase activity were identified. The remaining 12 patients had normal endocrine activity of their adrenals. Eighteen patients were adrenalectomized with an average tumor size of 3.96 +/- 1.88 cm. Histologically, 10 (52%) adenomas were observed, including 3 with signs of hypercortisolism. Adrenal hyperplasias were observed in 2 patients, metastasis in 1 patient. 31.5% of the INC which were removed were nonmalignant tumors of other than adrenal origin. We conclude that initially endocrinologically inactive adrenal tumors can eventually develop autonomous endocrine activity and therefore need to be reexamined at regular intervals. Conservative management with regular follow-up investigations is the preferable treatment for small incidentalomas when endocrine over-activity has been excluded and no indications of malignancy exist. Based on these observations and the literature a diagnostic and therapeutic strategy is presented.

Clinical significance of the large adrenal mass

Current clinical teaching indicates that large (greater than 5 cm in diameter) adrenal masses are often malignant. In a retrospective analysis of patients studied between 1977 and 1988 with computed tomography (CT), adrenal scintigraphy, and when available, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 45 were found to have adrenal masses greater than 5 cm (range 5-19 cm) in diameter. Thirty were benign (16 phaeochromocytomas, six adrenocortical adenomas, four adrenal cysts, two myelolipomas, an adrenal hematoma and a ganglioneuroma). Of 15 malignant masses, there were seven adrenocortical carcinomas, five adrenal metastases and three adrenal lymphomas. With the exception of the adrenal myelolipomas, cysts, and the ganglioneuroma neither CT nor MRI demonstrated sufficient diagnostic specificity to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. Functional scintigraphy with 131I-6-beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol for suspected adrenocortical lesions and 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine for suspected phaeochromocytomas frequently provided useful information.

Adrenal myelolipoma: a case report and review of the literature

A case of a 73 year old man who was preoperatively diagnosed as possibly having myelolipoma is presented herein. Adrenal myelolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor of which only 74 foreign cases and 43 Japanese cases have been previously reported in the literature dealing with surgically removed myelolipomas. The most consistent complaint of the adrenal myelolipoma sufferer is abdominal pain, caused by hemorrhaging in the tumor, and many cases are associated with obesity, hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. There is now an increasing number of such cases being diagnosed during abdominal scanning with ultrasonography or computerized tomography for unrelated problems, whereupon the myelolipoma is usually surgically resected. With the availability of modern scanning techniques and fine needle biopsy, however, it should be possible to adopt a more conservative approach to the management of asymptomatic adrenal myelolipoma. Nevertheless, symptomatic or large tumors, must be removed since there is a high risk of spontaneous hemorrhage.

Adrenal myelolipoma: clinical, radiologic, and histologic features

The adrenal myelolipoma is a benign, endocrinologically inactive tumor whose histologic structure consists of mature adipose tissue with foci of hematopoietic cells. A case is presented of a seventy-one-year-old woman in whom the diagnosis was established preoperatively by means of sonography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance tomography. In a review of the literature, the radiologic profile is discussed, and based on the analysis of 59 surgically treated cases a therapy recommendation is given.

Massive bilateral non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the adrenals

Two cases of diffuse histiocytic lymphoma limited to both adrenals are described. Familiarity with these rare lesions will lead to a proper diagnostic approach.

Diagnostic approach to incidental adrenal nodules in the cancer patient. Results of a clinical, radiologic, and fine-needle aspiration study

Twenty-three nonfunctioning adrenal nodules were discovered during computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of the abdomen in 16 patients with a variety of primary extra-adrenal malignant neoplasms. In seven cases the adrenal masses were bilateral. Following percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy, pathologic diagnosis was consistent with benign adenoma in seven patients, and with adrenal metastasis in nine. There was no significant difference in age, sex, or incidence of bilateral distribution among these two groups. Three of the adenomas were calcified, and the size of the benign nodules in all patients was less than 3 cm. No calcification was seen in metastatic adrenal nodules, and their sizes ranged between 2 and 20 cm. The clinical and radiologic features of these two groups of patients are evaluated, and a rational approach for the management of adrenal masses is described. The CT images of adrenal adenoma and adrenal metastasis, along with their corresponding cytopathologic features, are illustrated.

Current diagnostic approach to adrenal abnormalities

Cross-sectional imaging of the adrenal glands is described, and examples of pheochromocytoma, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, aldosteronoma, and metastasis are presented. The clinical diagnosis and radiologic findings of these and other adrenal lesions are discussed. Noninvasive and invasive procedures, and their usefulness in diagnosing adrenal abnormalities, are reviewed, and the value of computed tomography, ultrasonography, radionuclide scintigraphy, and angiography are analyzed.