Successful treatment of metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma in the spine: A case report and literature review

Thermal ablation in adrenal disorders: a discussion of the technology, the clinical evidence and the future

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarise the emerging role of thermal ablation as a therapeutic modality in the management of functioning adrenal tumours and metastases to the adrenal gland.

RECENT FINDINGS

Observational evidence has demonstrated the benefit of thermal ablation in (i) resolving adrenal endocrinopathy arising from benign adenomas, (ii) treating solitary metastases to the adrenal and (iii) controlling metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma and phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma.

SUMMARY

Microwave thermal ablation offers a promising, minimally invasive therapeutic modality for the management of functioning adrenocortical adenomas and adrenal metastases. Appropriate technological design, treatment planning and choice of imaging modality are necessary to overcome technical challenges associated with this emerging therapeutic approach.

Uncommon Metastasizing Site of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a very rare tumor having a poor prognosis. Approximately 25% of these cases may present with metastases at the time of diagnosis. Common sites of metastasis are lung, liver, and lymph nodes. The bone metastases in ACC are less frequent. We report a case of a 35-year-old male presented with right parotid region swelling, rendered with a diagnosis of ACC metastasizing to the mandible ramus, which is an uncommon site.