Adrenal hemangioma: A rare presentation of bleeding incidentaloma: Case report

An imaging and diagnostic conundrum-the adrenal haemangioma

The adrenal haemangioma, a rare benign vascular tumour, is increasingly detected through abdominal imaging. Just over 70 surgical cases have been reported since 1955. Their potential large size and overlapping imaging features with adrenocortical carcinoma poses a diagnostic challenge. Adrenalectomy is often needed for a definitive diagnosis due to inconclusive imaging. We report the case of a 61-year-old female presenting with an incidental finding of a right-sided 9.5-cm adrenal mass on imaging. Due to the risk of adrenocortical carcinoma with inconclusive imaging findings, an open right adrenalectomy was performed. The patient was discharged after 6 days with no complications. Post-surgical histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of adrenal haemangioma with a secondary adrenal pseudocyst. The presence of an adrenal incidentaloma with discordant radiological features proves to be a diagnostic conundrum. Therefore, in the setting of contradictory radiology and concerning mass size, we recommend adrenalectomy for definitive diagnosis of an adrenal haemangioma.

Incidental adrenal hemangioma clinically suspicious for malignancy: diagnostic considerations and review of the literature

Adrenal hemangiomas are rare lesions often found incidentally during unrelated diagnostic work-up. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, anemia, arthralgia, joint swelling and unexplained weight loss, which prompted imaging studies. Computed tomography scan revealed a 5.4 cm adrenal mass. The patient had no clinical manifestations of adrenal medullary or cortical hyperfunction. Urine and plasma metanephrines and aldosterone/renin ratio were within normal range. The patient was taking prednisone for hand and ankle swelling, precluding assessment for Cushing syndrome. Given the size of the lesion, the possibility of malignancy was considered, and the patient elected for surgical management. The left adrenalectomy specimen weighed 54 g and revealed a 4.9 cm tan-brown mass with congested cut surface and a thin rim of residual adrenal gland parenchyma. Histologic examination showed thick and thin-walled vessels intermingled with adrenocortical elements at the periphery characteristic of a hemangioma. Surgical resection is the mainstay treatment for large, isolated adrenal masses to exclude malignancy and prevent retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Herein, we report a case of adrenal hemangioma, review a variety of other diagnostic considerations occurring in the adrenal gland, and highlight useful distinguishing features to assist in accurate diagnosis.