Adrenal Incidentalomas are Tied to Increased Risk of Diabetes: Findings from a Prospective Study

Diabetes Mellitus in Non-Functioning Adrenal Incidentalomas: Analysis of the Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (MACS) Impact on Glucose Profile

Non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs) have been placed in relationship with a higher risk of glucose profile anomalies, while the full-blown typical picture of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and associated secondary (glucocorticoid-induced) diabetes mellitus is not explicitly confirmed in this instance. Our objective was to highlight the most recent data concerning the glucose profile, particularly, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in NFAIs with/without mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). This was a comprehensive review of the literature; the search was conducted according to various combinations of key terms. We included English-published, original studies across a 5-year window of publication time (from January 2020 until 1 April 2024) on PubMed. We excluded case reports, reviews, studies on T1DM or secondary diabetes, and experimental data. We identified 37 studies of various designs (14 retrospective studies as well 13 cross-sectional, 4 cohorts, 3 prospective, and 2 case-control studies) that analysed 17,391 individuals, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.47 (aged between 14 and 96 years). T2DM prevalence in MACS (affecting 10 to 30% of NFAIs) ranged from 12% to 44%. The highest T2DM prevalence in NFAI was 45.2% in one study. MACS versus (non-MACS) NFAIs (n = 16) showed an increased risk of T2DM and even of prediabetes or higher fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c (no unanimous results). T2DM prevalence was analysed in NFAI (N = 1243, female-to-male ratio of 1.11, mean age of 60.42) versus (non-tumour) controls (N = 1548, female-to-male ratio of 0.91, average age of 60.22) amid four studies, and two of them were confirmatory with respect to a higher rate in NFAIs. Four studies included a sub-group of CS compared to NFAI/MACS, and two of them did not confirm an increased rate of glucose profile anomalies in CS versus NFAIs/ACS. The longest period of follow-up with concern to the glycaemic profile was 10.5 years, and one cohort showed a significant increase in the T2DM rate at 17.9% compared to the baseline value of 0.03%. Additionally, inconsistent data from six studies enrolling 1039 individuals that underwent adrenalectomy (N = 674) and conservative management (N = 365) pinpointed the impact of the surgery in NFAIs. The regulation of the glucose metabolism after adrenalectomy versus baseline versus conservative management (n = 3) was improved. To our knowledge, this comprehensive review included one of the largest recent analyses in the field of glucose profile amid the confirmation of MACS/NFAI. In light of the rising incidence of NFAI/AIs due to easier access to imagery scans and endocrine evaluation across the spectrum of modern medicine, it is critical to assess if these patients have an increased frequency of cardio-metabolic disorders that worsen their overall comorbidity and mortality profile, including via the confirmation of T2DM.

Clinical and imaging presentations are associated with function in incidental adrenocortical adenomas: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess whether clinical and imaging characteristics are associated with the hormonal subtype, growth, and adrenalectomy for incidental adrenal cortical adenomas (ACAs).

DESIGN

This is a single-center cohort study.

METHODS

Consecutive adult patients with incidental ACA were diagnosed between 2000 and 2016.

RESULTS

Of the 1516 patients with incidental ACA (median age 59 years, 62% women), 699 (46%) had nonfunctioning adenomas (NFAs), 482 (31%) had mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), 62 (4%) had primary aldosteronism (PA), 39 (3%) had Cushing syndrome, 18 (1%) had PA and MACS, and 226 (15%) had incomplete work-up. Age, sex, tumor size, and tumor laterality, but not unenhanced computed tomography Hounsfield units (HU), were associated with hormonal subtypes. In a multivariable analysis, ≥1 cm growth was associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.8 per 5-year increase, P = .0047) and longer imaging follow-up (OR = 1.2 per year, P < .0001). Adrenalectomy was performed in 355 (23%) patients, including 38% of MACS and 15% of NFA. Adrenalectomy for NFA and MACS was more common in younger patients (OR = 0.79 per 5-year increase, P = .002), larger initial tumor size (OR = 2.3 per 1 cm increase, P < .0001), ≥1 cm growth (OR = 15.3, P < .0001), and higher postdexamethasone cortisol (OR = 6.6 for >5 vs <1.8 μg/dL, P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Age, sex, tumor size, and laterality were associated with ACA hormonal subtype and can guide diagnosis and management. Tumor growth was more common with younger age and longer follow-up. Unenhanced HU did not predict hormonal subtype or growth. Adrenalectomy for MACS and NFA was mainly performed in younger patients with larger tumor size, growth, and elevated postdexamethasone cortisol.

Choroidal Thickness in Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion

Objectives

To evaluate the patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) by means of choroidal thickness (CT) and also investigate whether CT may be a diagnostic tool in the management of MACS or not.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients with MACS and 25 age-sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional comparative study. All the participants underwent CT measurement by using Spectralis optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) with enhanced deep imaging mode at the subfoveal, 500-1000-1500 µm nasal and 500-1000-1500 µm temporal to the foveola.

Results

The groups were similar in terms of spherical equivalence, age and axial lengths. The mean CT was significantly thicker in patients with MACS than controls in all measurement quadrants (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between CT, size of the adenoma, basal cortisol, 1mg dexamethasone suppression test, salivary cortisol, 24-hour total urine-free cortisol, ACTH and DHEAS levels. However, 2 mg dexamethasone suppression test results were found to be significantly correlated with CT in temporal 500-1000 and 1500 µm quadrants (r=0.436, p=0.023, r=0.443, p=0.021 and r=0.488, p=0.010, respectively). Five (18.5%) eyes had pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy in the MACS group.

Conclusion

CT increases in patients with MACS and those tend to have pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy more frequent than healthy individuals. A thicker choroid in the patients with MACS may be a novel biomarker both as a diagnostic tool for the degree of hypercortisolemia and cortisol-related comorbidity.

Adrenal cavernous hemangioma: A rare cause of chronic lumbar pain - a case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Adrenal Cavernous Hemangioma is an extremely rare histological type of adrenal tumors, typically asymptomatic and occasionally revealed by a symptom or complication. Here, we report an atypical symptomatic case to enrich the limited international case series.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of an 80-year-old woman who underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy for a painful and potentially malignant left adrenal neoplasm, leading to the discovery of a five-centimeter adrenal cavernous hemangioma. The post-operative course was uneventful. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the chronic lumbar pain described initially vanished at the six-month follow-up.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Adrenal cavernous hemangioma is typically silent and incidentally discovered on cross-sectional imaging. Symptomatic or complicated forms are extremely rare. Clinical, biological, radiological and histology assessment are crucial for management. Therapeutic decisions depend on the malignancy probability and the functional nature of the adrenal neoplasm, considering surgery versus conservative approaches. Patient's point-of-view and background are also determining factors in the decision-making process. Mini-invasive adrenalectomy is superior to open approach, when feasible and safe.

CONCLUSION

Adrenal cavernous hemangioma is a rare benign vascular tumor often discovered on adrenalectomy specimen. This case illustrates a rare cause of chronic lumbar pain. It also underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary medical decision for this kind of tumors.

Serendipitous Adrenal Hyperplasia in Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department for Suspected SARS-CoV-2 Infection is Linked to Increased Mortality

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on adrenal morphology in patients with acute diseases, although it is known that endogenous glucocorticoids are essential for survival under stress conditions and that an adequate response is driven by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess adrenal morphology in patients with acute disease compared with patients with non-acute disease.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included: 402 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection (March-May, 2020) [main cohort]; 200 patients admitted to the ED for acute conditions (December 2018-February 2019) [control group A]; 200 outpatients who underwent radiological evaluation of non-acute conditions (January-February 2019) [control group B]. Chest and/or abdominal CT scans were reviewed to identify adrenal nodules or hyperplasia.

RESULTS

In the main cohort, altered adrenal morphology was found in 24.9% of the patients (15.4% adrenal hyperplasia; 9.5% adrenal nodules). The frequency of adrenal hyperplasia was higher both in the main cohort (15.4%) and control group A (15.5%) compared to control group B (8.5%; p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). In the main cohort, 14.9% patients died within 30 d. According to a multivariate analysis, adrenal hyperplasia was an independent risk factor for mortality (p = 0.04), as were older age (p <0.001) and active cancer (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The notable frequency of adrenal hyperplasia in patients with acute diseases suggests an exaggerated activation of the HPA axis due to stressful conditions. The increased risk of short-term mortality found in patients with adrenal hyperplasia suggests that it may be a possible hallmark of worse prognosis.

Are comorbidities of patients with adrenal incidentaloma tied to sex?

Background

A recent cross-sectional study showed that both comorbidities and mortality in patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) are tied to sex. However, few longitudinal studies evaluated the development of arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and bone impairment in patients with AI. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of sex in the development of these comorbidities during long-term follow-up.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 189 patients (120 females, 69 males) with AI, from four referral centers in Italy and Croatia. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities and cortisol after 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (1-mg DST) were assessed at baseline and at last follow-up visit (LFUV). Median follow-up was 52 (Interquartile Range 25-86) months.

Results

The rates of arterial hypertension and hyperglycemia increased over time both in females (65.8% at baseline versus 77.8% at LFUV, p=0.002; 23.7% at baseline versus 39.6% at LFUV, p<0.001; respectively) and males (58.0% at baseline versus 69.1% at LFUV, p=0.035; 33.8% at baseline versus 54.0% at LFUV, p<0.001; respectively). Patients were stratified in two groups using 1.8 µg/dl as cut-off of cortisol following 1-mg DST: non-functional adrenal tumors (NFAT) and tumors with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). In the NFAT group (99 patients, females 62.6%), at baseline, we did not observe any difference in clinical characteristics and comorbidities between males and females. At LFUV, males showed a higher frequency of hyperglycemia than females (57.6% versus 33.9%, p=0.03). In the MACS group (89 patients, females 64.0%), at baseline, the prevalence of hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia was similar between sexes, despite females were younger (60, IQR 55-69 versus 67.5, IQR 61-73, years; p=0.01). Moreover, females presented higher rates of bone impairment (89.3% versus 54.5%, p=0.02) than males. At LFUV, a similar sex-related pattern was observed.

Conclusion

Patients with AI frequently develop arterial hypertension and hyperglycemia and should be periodically checked for these comorbidities, regardless of sex. In patients with MACS, the lack of difference between sexes in the frequency of cardiometabolic comorbidities despite that females are younger, and the higher frequency of bone impairment in females, suggest a sex-specific effect of cortisol.

The improvement of postoperative blood pressure and associated factors in patients with hormone-negative adrenal adenoma and hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of adrenal surgery on blood pressure (BP) improvements in patients with hormone-negative adrenal adenoma (HNA) concomitant with hypertension and analyze associated prognostic factors.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients with HNA and hypertension and patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and hypertension who underwent adrenal surgery at our center between 2019 and 2022. Hypertension outcomes were evaluated in all patients and subjects were divided into three groups according to follow-up BP and the administration of anti-hypertensive agents: a clinical curation group, an improvement group, and a no-improvement group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict factors associated with clinical curation in patients with HNA post-surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 182 patients with HNA, clinical curation was achieved in 58 patients (31.9%), improvement in 72 (39.5%), and no improvement in 52 (28.6%). The clinical curation, improvement and no improvement rates in patients with APA were 64.8% (n = 118), 15.9% (n = 29), and 19.2% (n = 35). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a duration of hypertension ≤6 years and a plasma aldosterone level >160 pg/ml were both independent factors for the clinical curation of hypertension in patients with HNA after adrenal surgery.

CONCLUSION

Adrenal surgery can cure or improve hypertension in most patients with HNA, especially in a short duration of hypertension and high plasma levels of aldosterone.

Challenges in the postsurgical recovery of cushing syndrome: glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome

Glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome is a challenging clinical phenomenon that can complicate the postsurgical recovery of Cushing syndrome. It is characterized by physical tolerance and dependence to supraphysiologic glucocorticoid exposure during active Cushing syndrome followed by the abrupt decline in cortisol levels after surgical treatment. The symptoms of glucocorticoid withdrawal often overlap with those of postoperative adrenal insufficiency and can be difficult for patients to cope with and for clinicians to treat. This mini review will discuss the clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, and management of glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome while highlighting recent data in the field.

Impact of frailty on complications and length of stay after minimally invasive adrenalectomy surgery

BACKGROUND

Adrenal disease requiring surgery incidence increases with age, and minimally invasive adrenalectomy procedures have improved the safety of adrenal surgery. This study evaluates the perioperative outcomes of elective adrenalectomies when performed in older patients and how frailty affects such outcomes.

METHODS

Patients undergoing elective minimally invasive adrenalectomy were identified using the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Targeted File years 2005 to 2020. The surgical indication was categorized as a benign disease, an endocrine disorder, or a malignant disease. Frailty was defined using the 5-item modified frailty index. Multivariable regressions were used to model the relationship of age and frailty with surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

In 8,693 minimally invasive adrenalectomy patients, 5,281 (61%) were female, 5,026 (58%) were White, and 1,924 (22%) were aged 65 years or older. Surgical indications were benign disease 5,487 (63%), endocrinopathy 2,850 (33%), and malignancy 356 (4%). Patients aged <65 years (compared to those aged ≥65) were more likely to have a 5-item modified frailty index = 0 (26% vs 14%, respectively) and less likely to have a 5-item modified frailty index = ≥3 (2% vs 4%, respectively; P < .001).

OUTCOMES

30-day mortality 20 (0.2%), complications 459 (5%), return to operating room 73 (0.8%), and median length of stay 2 days. Thirty-day mortality was associated with a 5-item modified frailty index ≥3 (P = .009) and endocrine disease (P = .005) but not with age. Complications were associated with a 5-item modified frailty index ≥2 (≤P < .001) and malignant disease (P = .002), but not with age.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy has low 30-day mortality and complication rates that increase with frailty and not age. Frailty is a better predictor than the age of most adverse outcomes after elective minimally invasive adrenalectomy.

Pancreatosteatosis in patients with adrenal incidentaloma: A risk factor for impaired glucose metabolism

AIMS

Patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) are at increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism, which is known to be associated with pancreatosteatosis (PS). We aimed to investigate the risk of developing dysglycemia for patients with non-functioning AI (NFAI) versus those without, and whether the presence of PS predicts future dysglycemia in patients with NFAI.

METHOD

In 80 patients with NFAI and 127 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index, changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) were evaluated at 2 years. PS was evaluated with data obtained from non-contrast abdominal computed tomography (CT) performed at the initial evaluation.

RESULTS

Mean FPG levels increased significantly after 2 years in both groups (P < 0.001, for both), albeit significantly higher among patients than the controls (P = 0.002). The increases in HbA1c and FPG levels were significantly higher among patients with PS than without PS, in the adenoma group (p < 0.001, P = 0.00, respectively). The change in Hba1c levels was associated with the presence of PS in patients with NFAI (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the presence of PS may provide significant information in predicting newly developed dysglycemia in patients with NFAI.

Increased Risk of Vertebral Fractures in Patients With Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion

CONTEXT

The risk of vertebral fractures (VFx) in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI) and mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is debated.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the VFx prevalence and incidence in patients with AI and MACS.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and longitudinal study using retrospective data from 4 Italian endocrinology units included 444 patients (cross-sectional arm) and 126 patients (longitudinal arm, 24.9 ± 5.3 months follow-up) to evaluate prevalent and incident VFx, respectively, in patients with MACS (MACS-yes) and without MACS (MACS-no). The main outcome measures were serum cortisol after a 1-mg dexamethasone test (F-1mgDST), bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at spine (LS) and femur (FN), and VFx presence by x-ray.

RESULTS

Cross-sectional arm: 214 and 230 patients were MACS-yes and MACS-no, respectively, based on F-1mgDST >1.8 µg/dL (50 nmol/L). Patients with MACS had higher VFx prevalence (62.6%) than those without MACS (22.9%, P < .001); MACS was associated with prevalent VFx (odds ratio, 5.203; 95% CI, 3.361-8.055; P < .001; relative risk [RR] 2.07), regardless of age, body mass index, gender distribution, LS-BMD, and presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Longitudinal arm: 66 and 60 patients were MACS-no and MACS-yes, respectively. Patients without MACS showed higher number of incident VFx (36.4%) than patients without MACS (10.0%, P < .001); MACS was associated with the presence of an incident VFx (RR 4.561; 95% CI, 1.600-13.003; P = .005) regardless of age, LS-BMD, gender distribution, presence of prevalent VFx, and T2D. Results were confirmed in women and men when separately evaluated.

CONCLUSION

Women and men with AI and MACS are at higher risk of VFx.

Dexamethasone Suppression Testing in a Contemporary Cohort with Adrenal Incidentalomas in Two U.S. Integrated Healthcare Systems

Autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) from an adrenal adenoma can increase the risk for comorbidities and mortality. The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is the standard method to diagnose ACS. A multi-site, retrospective cohort of adults with diagnosed adrenal tumors was used to understand patient characteristics associated with DST completion and ACS. Time to DST completion was defined using the lab value and result date; follow-up time was from the adrenal adenoma diagnosis to the time of completion or censoring. ACS was defined by a DST > 1.8 µg/dL (50 nmol/L). The Cox proportional hazards regression model assessed associations between DST completion and patient characteristics. In patients completing a DST, a logistic regression model evaluated relationships between elevated ACS and covariates. We included 24,259 adults, with a mean age of 63.1 years, 48.1% obese, and 28.7% with a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 4. Approximately 7% (n = 1768) completed a DST with a completion rate of 2.36 (95% CI 2.35, 2.37) per 100 person-years. Fully adjusted models reported that male sex and an increased Charlson comorbidity index were associated with a lower likelihood of DST completion. Current or former smoking status and an increased Charlson comorbidity index had higher odds of a DST > 1.8 μg/dL. In conclusion, clinical policies are needed to improve DST completion and the management of adrenal adenomas.

Inflammation-based scores in benign adrenocortical tumours are linked to the degree of cortisol excess: a retrospective single-centre study

OBJECTIVE

Benign adrenocortical tumours are diagnosed in ∼5% of adults and are associated with cortisol excess in 30%-50% of cases. Adrenal Cushing's syndrome (CS) is rare and leads to multiple haematological alterations. However, little is known about the effects of the much more frequent mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) on immune function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the haematological alterations in benign adrenocortical tumours with different degrees of cortisol excess.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We investigated 375 patients: 215 with non-functioning adrenal tumours (NFAT), 138 with MACS, and 22 with CS. We evaluated the relationship between the degree of cortisol excess and full blood count as well as multiple inflammation-based scores, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).

RESULTS

We observed a gradual and significant increase of leucocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes across the spectrum of cortisol excess, from NFAT over MACS to CS. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and SII were significantly higher in both MACS and CS when compared to NFAT (P < .001 and P = .002 for NLR and P = .006 and P = .021 for SII, respectively). Conversely, LMR was lower in MACS and CS than in NFAT (P = .01 and <.001, respectively) but also significantly lower in CS compared to MACS (P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, SII, and LMR correlated with the degree of cortisol excess in benign adrenocortical tumours and were altered in patients with CS and MACS. These findings suggest that, similar to clinically overt CS, MACS also affects the immune function, potentially contributing to the MACS-associated comorbidities.

Deep learning approach for differentiating indeterminate adrenal masses using CT imaging

PURPOSE

Distinguishing stage 1-2 adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and large, lipid poor adrenal adenoma (LPAA) via imaging is challenging due to overlapping imaging characteristics. This study investigated the ability of deep learning to distinguish ACC and LPAA on single time-point CT images.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study from 1994 to 2022. Imaging studies of patients with adrenal masses who had available adequate CT studies and histology as the reference standard by method of adrenal biopsy and/or adrenalectomy were included as well as four patients with LPAA determined by stability or regression on follow-up imaging. Forty-eight (48) subjects with pathology-proven, stage 1-2 ACC and 43 subjects with adrenal adenoma >3 cm in size demonstrating a mean non-contrast CT attenuation > 20 Hounsfield Units centrally were included. We used annotated single time-point contrast-enhanced CT images of these adrenal masses as input to a 3D Densenet121 model for classifying as ACC or LPAA with five-fold cross-validation. For each fold, two checkpoints were reported, highest accuracy with highest sensitivity (accuracy focused) and highest sensitivity with the highest accuracy (sensitivity focused).

RESULTS

We trained a deep learning model (3D Densenet121) to predict ACC versus LPAA. The sensitivity-focused model achieved mean accuracy: 87.2% and mean sensitivity: 100%. The accuracy-focused model achieved mean accuracy: 91% and mean sensitivity: 96%.

CONCLUSION

Deep learning demonstrates promising results distinguishing between ACC and large LPAA using single time-point CT images. Before being widely adopted in clinical practice, multicentric and external validation are needed.

Is the 1mg-dexamethasone suppression test a precise marker of glucocorticoid excess and cardiometabolic risk in patients with adrenal incidentalomas?

AIM

To analyze if the 1mg-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is a reliable marker of glucocorticoid excess and cardiometabolic risk in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs, defined by cortisol post-DST ≤ 1.8 µg/dL) and patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS, defined by cortisol post-DST > 1.8 µg/Dl). The urinary steroid profile (USP) was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Both groups were matched by sex, age and body mass index.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients with AIs (25 with ACS and 24 with NFAI) were included. As a whole, AIs showed a high excretion of β-cortolone, tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS), α-cortolone, α-cortol, tetrahydrocortisol (THF) and tetrahydrocortisone (THE). A positive yet modest correlation between post-DST cortisol and total excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (r = 0.401, P = 0.004) was observed, with the stronger being observed with total THS (r = 0.548, P < 0.001) and THF (r = 0.441, P = 0.002). Some of the metabolites that were elevated in patients with AIs, were higher in patients with ACS-related comorbidities than in those without comorbidities. Post-DST cortisol showed a fair diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of ACS-related comorbidities (AUC 0.767 [95% CI 0.634-0.882]). However, post-DST diagnostic accuracy improved when combined with urinary cortisone, α-cortol, THS and serum DHEAS (0.853 [0.712‒0.954]).

CONCLUSION

The DST has a positive, but modest, correlation with urinary glucocorticoid excretion. Similarly, the diagnostic accuracy of the DST for the prediction of ACS-related comorbidities is only fair, but it may be improved if combined with the results of the USP and serum DHEAS.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

This is the first study aimed to evaluate if 1mg-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is a reliable marker of glucocorticoid excess and cardiometabolic risk in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) and if urinary steroid profile was measured by GS-MS could improve such a prediction. We found a positive yet modest correlation between post-DST cortisol and total excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites, with the stronger being observed with total tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS) and tetrahydrocortisol. Post-DST cortisol showed a fair diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of ACS-related comorbidities (AUC 0.767). However, post-DST diagnostic accuracy improved when combined with urinary cortisone, α-cortol, THS and serum DHEAS (0.853).

Prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with adrenal incidentalomas: a study of 709 cases

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) or adrenal incidentalomas (AI) with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS).

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, all patients with adrenal incidentalomas ≥1 cm and ACS or NFAI studied between 2013 and 2020 were included. ACS was defined by a post-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) serum cortisol concentration ≥1.8 μg/dl, in the absence of signs of hypercortisolism, and NFAI was defined as a DST < 1.8 μg/dl without biochemical evidence of hypersecretion of other hormones.

RESULTS

Inclusion criteria were met by 231 patients with ACS and 478 with NFAI. At diagnosis, type 2 diabetes was present in 24.3% of patients. No differences were found in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (27.7 vs. 22.6%, P = 0.137) between patients with ACS and NFAI. However, fasting plasma glucose values and glycated hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in patients with ACS than with NFAI (112 ± 35.6 vs. 105 ± 29 mg/dl, P = 0.004; and 6.5 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 0.9%, P = 0.005, respectively). Furthermore, patients with type 2 diabetes had higher urinary free cortisol (P = 0.039) and late-night salivary cortisol levels (P = 0.010) than those without type 2 diabetes. After a median follow-up of 28 months, no differences were found in the incidence of type 2 diabetes between the groups (HR 1.17, 95% 0.52-2.64).

CONCLUSION

Type 2 diabetes was present in one fourth of our cohort. We found no differences in its prevalence or incidence between the groups. However, glycemic control might be worse among diabetic patients with ACS. Higher concentrations of urinary and salivary cortisol were found in patients with than without type 2 diabetes.

High prevalence of frailty in patients with adrenal adenomas and adrenocortical hormone excess: a cross-sectional multi-centre study with prospective enrolment

OBJECTIVE

Frailty, characterized by multi-system decline, increases vulnerability to adverse health outcomes and can be measured using Frailty Index (FI). We aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty in patients with adrenal disorders (based on hormonal sub-type) and examine association between FI and performance-based measures of physical function.

DESIGN

Multi-centre, cross-sectional study (March 2019-August 2022).

METHODS

Adult patients with adrenal disorders (non-functioning adrenal adenomas [NFA], mild autonomous cortisol secretion [MACS], Cushing syndrome [CS], primary aldosteronism [PA]) and referent subjects without adrenal disorders completed a questionnaire encompassing 47 health variables (comorbidities, symptoms, daily living activities). FI was calculated as the average score of all variables and frailty defined as FI ≥ 0.25. Physical function was assessed with hand grip, timed up-and-go test, chair rising test, 6-minute walk test, and gait speed.

RESULTS

Compared to referent subjects (n = 89), patients with adrenal disorders (n = 520) showed increased age, sex, and body mass index-adjusted prevalence of frailty (CS [odds ratio-OR 19.2, 95% confidence interval-CI 6.7-70], MACS [OR 12.5, 95% CI 4.8-42.9], PA [OR 8.4, 95% CI 2.9-30.4], NFA [OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.7-15.9]). Prevalence of frailty was similar to referent subjects when post-dexamethasone cortisol was <28 nmol/L and was higher when post-dexamethasone cortisol was 28-50 nmol/L (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.7-16.5). FI correlated with all measures of physical function (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst frailty prevalence was highest in patients with adrenocortical hormone excess, even patients with NFA demonstrated an increased prevalence compared to the referent population. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the impact of various management strategies on frailty.

The Diagnostic Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan in Characterizing Adrenal Tumors

CONTEXT

Imaging plays an important role in the characterization of adrenal tumors, but findings might be inconclusive. The clinical question is whether 18F fluodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is of diagnostic value in this setting.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis was aimed at the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in differentiating benign from malignant adrenal tumors discovered either as adrenal incidentaloma or during staging or follow-up of oncologic patients.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to select articles between 2000 and 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

We included studies describing the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in adult patients with an adrenal tumor. Exclusion criteria were 10 or fewer participants, insufficient data on histopathology, clinical follow-up, or PET results. After screening of title and abstract by 2 independent reviewers, 79 studies were retrieved, of which 17 studies met the selection criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extraction using a protocol and quality assessment according to QUADAS-2 was performed independently by at least 2 authors.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A bivariate random-effects model was applied using R (version 3.6.2.). Pooled sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT for identifying malignant adrenal tumors was 87.3% (95% CI, 82.5%-90.9%) and 84.7% (95% CI, 79.3%-88.9%), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 9.20 (95% CI, 5.27-16.08; P < .01). Major sources of heterogeneity (I2, 57.1% [95% CI, 27.5%-74.6%]) were in population characteristics, reference standard, and interpretation criteria of imaging results.

CONCLUSIONS

18F-FDG PET/CT had good diagnostic accuracy for characterization of adrenal tumors. The literature, however, is limited, in particular regarding adrenal incidentalomas. Large prospective studies in well-defined patient populations with application of validated cutoff values are needed.

Determinants of muscle function and health-related quality of life in patients with endogenous hypercortisolism: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Prospective data on determinants of muscle strength impairment and quality of life in patients with various subtypes and severity of endogenous hypercortisolism are lacking.

DESIGN

Single-center cross-sectional study, 2019 to 2022.

METHODS

Patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) and mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) were assessed with clinical and biochemical severity scores, muscle function (nondominant hand grip strength and sit-to-stand test), and quality of life (Short Form-36 [SF36] and CushingQoL). Referent subjects were recruited from the local population undergoing abdominal imaging for reasons other than suspected adrenal disorder.

RESULTS

Of 164 patients, 81 (49%) had MACS, 14 (9%) had adrenal CS, 60 (37%) had pituitary CS, and 9 (5%) had ectopic CS. Median age was 53 years (interquartile range: 42-63 years), and 126 (77%) were women. The SF36 mental component score was similarly low in patients with MACS vs CS, but physical component score was lower in CS when compared to MACS (mean of 34.0 vs 40.5, P = .001). Compared to MACS, patients with CS had lower scores on the standardized CushingQoL (mean of 47.1 vs 34.2, P < .001). Compared to referent subjects, patients with MACS demonstrated reduced muscle strength, similar to patients with CS (mean sit to stand Z-score of -0.47 vs -0.54, P = .822). Clinical severity (r = -0.22, P = .004) but not biochemical severity was associated with sit-to-stand test performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Both patients with overt CS and MACS demonstrate reduced muscle strength and low quality of life. The clinical severity score utilized is associated with both physical and psychosocial components of CushingQoL and with the physical component of SF36.

Predicting morphological and functional variations of benign adrenal incidentalomas in relation to initial characteristics

The follow-up strategy for unresected non-functional adrenal tumors (NFAT) is a major controversial issue in endocrinological clinical practice, as the natural history of adrenal incidentalomas (AI) is partially unknown and a consensus on their adequate management is lacking. In a recent longitudinal study by Ceccato et al., a large cohort of patients with conservatively treated AI were evaluated for possible radiological variations over time and their relationship with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS). Starting from this paper, we performed a literature review of available longitudinal studies focus on the same issue. Notwithstanding the high variability in the duration of follow-up and in the criteria used to define ACS in the included studies, our findings support the idea that there is a not negligible risk of morphological and functional changes, which may have metabolic implications, especially after 5-10 years of follow-up. Unfortunately, these variations seem to be scarcely predictable. Therefore, it may be risky to interrupt the follow-up in patients with NFAT, in particular in the presence of larger diameter of the adenoma and higher cortisol levels at diagnosis. These results should be considered in defining the optimal management of these patients.

Diagnosing and managing adrenal incidentalomas

ABSTRACT

Adrenal incidentalomas are commonly encountered because of the widespread use of high-resolution cross-sectional imaging. Adrenal incidentalomas may be benign or malignant, and also may demonstrate hormonal hypersecretion, so all patients with adrenal masses should undergo further assessment. Clinicians should have a basic understanding of adrenal incidentalomas, their workup, and when follow-up and referral are warranted.

Characterisation of the urinary steroid profile of patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas: A matched controlled cross-sectional study

AIM

To identify alterations in steroid metabolism in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs) through the analysis of their urinary steroid profile (USP).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with one study group (NFAIs, cortisol post dexamethasone suppression test [DST] ≤ 1.8 µg/dl [49.7 nmol/L]) and 2 control groups: patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS group, cortisol post-DST > 1.8 µg/dl (49.7 nmol/L) and patients without adrenal tumours (healthy-adrenal group). Twenty-four-hour urine collections for USP measurement (total and free fraction of 51 24 h-urine specimens) were obtained from 73 participants (24 with NFAIs, 24 without AIs, and 25 with ACS). USP was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Patients of the three groups were matched according to sex, age (±5 years-old) and body mass index (±5 kg/m² ).

RESULTS

Compared to healthy-adrenal controls, patients with NFAIs had a lower excretion of androgen metabolites (230.5 ± 190.12 vs. 388.7 ± 328.58 µg/24 h, p = .046) and a higher excretion of urinary free cortisol (UFC) (54.3 ± 66.07 vs. 25.4 ± 11.16 µg/24 h, p = .038). UFC was above the reference range in 20.8% of patients in the NFAI, compared to 0% in the healthy-adrenal group (p = .018). Patients with ACS had a higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes than patients with NFAIs or the control group. A lower excretion of androgen metabolites (218.4 ± 204.24 vs. 231 ± 190 µg/24 h, p = .041) and a nonsignificant higher excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (2129.6 ± 1195.96 vs. 1550.8 ± 810.03 µg/24 h, p = .180) was found in patients with ACS compared to patients with NFAIs.

CONCLUSION

NFAIs seem to secrete a subtle, yet clinically relevant, excess of glucocorticoids. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings; and to identify metabolic alterations associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk.

Adrenal aging and its effects on the stress response and immunosenescence

Normal aging is linked to various endocrine gland changes, including changes in the adrenal glands. Aging is linked to alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, including an increase in cortisol levels, a disruption of the negative cortisol feedback, and attenuation of cortisol's diurnal pattern. In addition, secretion of aldosterone and adrenal androgens [dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS)] from the adrenal cortex decreases with aging. In this review, we describe normal adrenal function, the adrenal response to stress and immunomodulation in aging individuals as well as the effects of adrenal aging on body composition, metabolic profile, bone health and cognition.

Possible, probable, and certain hypercortisolism: A continuum in the risk of comorbidity

Hypercortisolism may be considered as a continuum in terms of both hormonal and cardiometabolic abnormalities. It ranges from cases with "normal" hormonal profile and low to intermediate risk of comorbidity to florid cases with clear clinical and hormonal evidence of glucocorticoid excess and clearly increased cardiometabolic risk. Even in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI), defined as adrenal incidentaloma with normal results on the currently available hormonal test for evaluation of hypercortisolism, cardiometabolic and mortality risk is higher than in the general population without adrenal lesions. Mild hypercortisolism or autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) is a term used for patients with adrenal incidentaloma and pathological dexamethasone suppression test (DST) results, but without specific clinical signs of hypercortisolism. It is widely known that this condition is linked to higher prevalence of several cardiometabolic comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome, than in patients with NFAI or without adrenal tumor. In case of overt Cushing's syndrome, cardiovascular risk is extremely high, and standard mortality ratio is high, cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death. The present review summarizes the current evidence for a detrimental cardiometabolic profile in patients with possible (NFAI), probable (ACS) and certain hypercortisolism (overt Cushing's syndrome).

Surgical treatment of adrenal tumors during pregnancy

While most adrenal tumors are identified incidentally and are non-functional, hormone-secreting tumors can cause morbidity and mortality. Hemodynamic lability and hypertension in pregnancy are associated with worse maternal and fetal outcomes. Achieving a diagnosis of hormone excess due to adrenal tumors can be clinically more difficult in the gravid patient due to normal physiologic alterations in hormones and symptoms related to pregnancy. This review focuses on some nuances of the diagnostic work-up, perioperative care, and surgical management of adrenally-mediated cortisol excess, primary aldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in the pregnant patient.

Differentiating between adrenocortical carcinoma and lipid-poor cortical adenoma: A novel cross-sectional imaging-based score

BACKGROUND

Discrimination between adrenocortical carcinoma and lipid-poor cortical adenoma preoperatively is frequently difficult as these two entities have overlapping imaging characteristics. Differentiation will allow for the selection of the most appropriate operative approach and may help prevent over-treatment. We aimed to identify imaging features that could preoperatively differentiate adrenocortical carcinoma from lipid-poor cortical adenoma and use them in a novel imaging-based score.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with pathologically proven adrenocortical carcinoma and lipid-poor cortical adenoma who underwent resection in a single tertiary referral center between March 1998 and August 2020. The inclusion criteria were diameter >1 cm, attenuation >10 Hounsfield units on nonenhanced computed tomography, and histopathologic diagnosis. Patients with metastatic or locally advanced adrenocortical carcinoma adenoma (stages 3-4) were excluded. We developed a score using binary logistic multivariate regression model in 5-fold derivation (∼70%) cohorts with stepwise backward conditional regression as feature selection. Standardized mean regression weight was used as variable score points.

RESULTS

We identified 232 adrenals resected across 211 patients. By comparing the imaging characteristics of adrenocortical carcinoma (n = 56) and lipid-poor cortical adenoma (n = 156), we revealed statistically significant differences between the groups in 9 parameters: size, attenuation, thin and thick rim enhancement patterns, heterogeneity, calcification, necrosis, fat infiltration, and lymph node prominence. The score mean performance was 100% sensitivity for the exclusion of adrenocortical carcinoma, 80% specificity (95% confidence interval, 68.3-91.5), 66% positive predictive value (95% confidence interval, 52.3-78.7), and 100% negative predictive value with area under the curve of 0.974.

CONCLUSION

We defined and evaluated a novel 9-variable, imaging-based score. This score outperformed any single variable and could facilitate safe preoperative discrimination of adrenocortical carcinoma and lipid-poor cortical adenoma.

Cardiometabolic profile and urinary metabolomic alterations in non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas: A review

BACKGROUND

The incidence of adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) has increased over the last 20 years, most of which are apparently non-functioning adrenal adenomas. However, increased evidence supports the existence of an association between non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) and an unfavourable cardio-metabolic profile.

METHODS

This study offers a comprehensive review of the available evidence supporting a higher cardiometabolic risk in NFAIs compared to controls without adrenal tumours. Moreover, it summarises the studies focused on the differential urinary metabolomic profile of NFAI and controls without adrenal lesions.

RESULTS

This adverse metabolic profile of patients with NFAI includes a higher prevalence of insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular alterations and mortality compared to healthy controls without adrenal tumours. Although the pathophysiology that explains the association between NFAI and the parameters of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk is a relatively unexplored field of study, some evidence supports that there are a series of incipient alterations in cortisol metabolism not detected with the classical tests that led to this detrimental profile. These alterations may be potentially detected by a comprehensive metabolomics approach. Several studies detected a shift towards an increase of urinary cortisol metabolites excretion in NFAIs compared to controls without adrenal tumours.

CONCLUSION

In view of the higher cardiometabolic risk in NFAI than in controls without adrenal tumours, and the detected alterations in metabolomics profile of NFAI, I propose that the term of NFAI should be changed for another term that best fits to its linked cardiometabolic profile.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Adrenal Tumors in an Unselected Screening Population : A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

With the widespread use of advanced imaging technology, adrenal tumors are increasingly being identified.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adrenal tumors in an unselected screening population in China.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04682938).

SETTING

A health examination center in China.

PATIENTS

Adults having an annual checkup were invited to be screened for adrenal tumors by adrenal computed tomography.

MEASUREMENTS

The participants with adrenal tumors had further evaluation for malignancy risk and adrenal function.

RESULTS

A total of 25 356 participants were screened, 351 of whom were found to have adrenal tumors, for a prevalence of 1.4%. The prevalence increased with age, from 0.2% in participants aged 18 to 25 years to 3.2% in those older than 65 years. Among 351 participants with adrenal tumors, 337 were diagnosed with an adrenocortical adenoma, 14 with another benign nodule, and none with a malignant mass. In 212 participants with an adenoma who completed endocrine testing, 69.3% were diagnosed with a nonfunctioning adenoma, 18.9% with cortisol autonomy, 11.8% with primary aldosteronism, and none with pheochromocytoma. Proportions of nonfunctioning adenomas were similarly high in various age groups (72.2%, 67.8%, and 72.2% in those aged <46, 46 to 65, and ≥66 years, respectively).

LIMITATION

Only 212 of 337 participants with an adrenocortical adenoma had endocrine testing.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of adrenal tumors in the general adult screening population is 1.4%, and most of these tumors are nonfunctioning regardless of patient age. Cortisol and aldosterone secretion are the main causes of functional adenomas.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

National Key Research and Development Program of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China.

The 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test: a danger to the adrenal gland?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ONDST) with a cutoff cortisol value of 1.8 mcg/dl (50 nmol/l) is routinely used for the assessment of incidental, benign adrenal nodules. Patients with an abnormal test are diagnosed with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). This timely commentary reviews the origins of the ONDST, its relationship to the diagnoses of MACS, and whether this is clinically relevant for clinical care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Millions of incidental adrenal nodules are found on CT scans annually. Several papers in the last three years discuss and advocate for the diagnose of MACS via the ONDST.

SUMMARY

An ONDST cutoff of 1.8 mcg/dl (50 nmol/l) in patients with no clinical features of Cushing's syndrome will produce false positive results and a diagnosis of MACS that could result in unnecessary adrenalectomy.

Age-dependent and sex-dependent disparity in mortality in patients with adrenal incidentalomas and autonomous cortisol secretion: an international, retrospective, cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association between cortisol secretion and mortality in patients with adrenal incidentalomas is controversial. We aimed to assess all-cause mortality, prevalence of comorbidities, and occurrence of cardiovascular events in uniformly stratified patients with adrenal incidentalomas and cortisol autonomy (defined as non-suppressible serum cortisol on dexamethasone suppression testing).

METHODS

We conducted an international, retrospective, cohort study (NAPACA Outcome) at 30 centres in 16 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with an adrenal incidentaloma (diameter ≥1 cm) detected between Jan 1, 1996, and Dec 31, 2015, and availability of a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test result from the time of the initial diagnosis. Patients with clinically apparent hormone excess, active malignancy, or follow-up of less than 36 months were excluded. Patients were stratified according to the 0800-0900 h serum cortisol values after an overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test; less than 50 nmol/L was classed as non-functioning adenoma, 50-138 nmol/L as possible autonomous cortisol secretion, and greater than 138 nmol/L as autonomous cortisol secretion. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints were the prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities, cardiovascular events, and cause-specific mortality. The primary and secondary endpoints were assessed in all study participants.

FINDINGS

Of 4374 potentially eligible patients, 3656 (2089 [57·1%] with non-functioning adenoma, 1320 [36·1%] with possible autonomous cortisol secretion, and 247 [6·8%] with autonomous cortisol secretion) were included in the study cohort for mortality analysis (2350 [64·3%] women and 1306 [35·7%] men; median age 61 years [IQR 53-68]; median follow-up 7·0 years [IQR 4·7-10·2]). During follow-up, 352 (9·6%) patients died. All-cause mortality (adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, and previous cardiovascular events) was significantly increased in patients with possible autonomous cortisol secretion (HR 1·52, 95% CI 1·19-1·94) and autonomous cortisol secretion (1·77, 1·20-2·62) compared with patients with non-functioning adenoma. In women younger than 65 years, autonomous cortisol secretion was associated with higher all-cause mortality than non-functioning adenoma (HR 4·39, 95% CI 1·93-9·96), although this was not observed in men. Cardiometabolic comorbidities were significantly less frequent with non-functioning adenoma than with possible autonomous cortisol secretion and autonomous cortisol secretion (hypertension occurred in 1186 [58·6%] of 2024 patients with non-functioning adenoma, 944 [74·0%] of 1275 with possible autonomous cortisol secretion, and 179 [75·2%] of 238 with autonomous cortisol secretion; dyslipidaemia occurred in 724 [36·2%] of 1999 patients, 547 [43·8%] of 1250, and 123 [51·9%] of 237; and any diabetes occurred in 365 [18·2%] of 2002, 288 [23·0%] of 1250, and 62 [26·7%] of 232; all p values <0·001).

INTERPRETATION

Cortisol autonomy is associated with increased all-cause mortality, particularly in women younger than 65 years. However, until results from randomised interventional trials are available, a conservative therapeutic approach seems to be justified in most patients with adrenal incidentaloma.

FUNDING

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Università di Torino.

Oncocytic adrenocortical neoplasm with undetermined malignant potential and autonomous cortisol secretion

Increasing incidence of adrenal incidentalomas with hypercortisolemia not associated with overt features of Cushing's syndrome has led to the evolution of the term autonomous cortisol secretion. Oncocytic adrenocortical neoplasms (OANs) are rare adrenal cortex neoplasms with only 250 reported cases worldwide. We present a woman in her 30s with menometrorrhagia, weight gain and increasing abdominal girth who was found to have a large right adrenal mass on abdominal CT scan. Serum cortisol was not suppressed after 1 mg dexamethasone (31.5 µg/dL) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone was not detectable (<1.0 pg/mL). She underwent right adrenalectomy under glucocorticoid coverage. Hypertension, weight, visceral adiposity and menometrorrhagia improved postoperatively. Histopathology with immunohistochemistry showed OAN with undetermined malignant potential. These kinds of tumours can only be definitively diagnosed postsurgically using the Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia system. Although they have better prognosis compared with adrenocortical carcinomas and do not require chemotherapy, patients should be closely monitored to identify recurrence promptly.

Cardiometabolic Disease Burden and Steroid Excretion in Benign Adrenal Tumors : A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Benign adrenal tumors are commonly discovered on cross-sectional imaging. Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is regularly diagnosed, but its effect on cardiometabolic disease in affected persons is ill defined.

OBJECTIVE

To determine cardiometabolic disease burden and steroid excretion in persons with benign adrenal tumors with and without MACS.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

14 endocrine secondary and tertiary care centers (recruitment from 2011 to 2016).

PARTICIPANTS

1305 prospectively recruited persons with benign adrenal tumors.

MEASUREMENTS

Cortisol excess was defined by clinical assessment and the 1-mg overnight dexamethasone-suppression test (serum cortisol: <50 nmol/L, nonfunctioning adrenal tumor [NFAT]; 50 to 138 nmol/L, possible MACS [MACS-1]; >138 nmol/L and absence of typical clinical Cushing syndrome [CS] features, definitive MACS [MACS-2]). Net steroid production was assessed by multisteroid profiling of 24-hour urine by tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Of the 1305 participants, 49.7% had NFAT (n = 649; 64.1% women), 34.6% had MACS-1 (n = 451; 67.2% women), 10.7% had MACS-2 (n = 140; 73.6% women), and 5.0% had CS (n = 65; 86.2% women). Prevalence and severity of hypertension were higher in MACS-2 and CS than NFAT (adjusted prevalence ratios [aPRs] for hypertension: MACS-2, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.04 to 1.27], and CS, 1.37 [CI, 1.16 to 1.62]; aPRs for use of ≥3 antihypertensives: MACS-2, 1.31 [CI, 1.02 to 1.68], and CS, 2.22 [CI, 1.62 to 3.05]). Type 2 diabetes was more prevalent in CS than NFAT (aPR, 1.62 [CI, 1.08 to 2.42]) and more likely to require insulin therapy for MACS-2 (aPR, 1.89 [CI, 1.01 to 3.52]) and CS (aPR, 3.06 [CI, 1.60 to 5.85]). Urinary multisteroid profiling revealed an increase in glucocorticoid excretion from NFAT over MACS-1 and MACS-2 to CS, whereas androgen excretion decreased.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design; possible selection bias.

CONCLUSION

A cardiometabolic risk condition, MACS predominantly affects women and warrants regular assessment for hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Diabetes UK, the European Commission, U.K. Medical Research Council, the U.K. Academy of Medical Sciences, the Wellcome Trust, the U.K. National Institute for Health Research, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Claire Khan Trust Fund at University Hospitals Birmingham Charities, and the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Computer-assisted Reporting and Decision Support Increases Compliance with Follow-up Imaging and Hormonal Screening of Adrenal Incidentalomas

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of using a computer-assisted reporting and decision support (CAR/DS) tool at the radiologist point-of-care on ordering provider compliance with recommendations for adrenal incidentaloma workup.

METHOD

Abdominal CT reports describing adrenal incidentalomas (2014 - 2016) were retrospectively extracted from the radiology database. Exclusion criteria were history of cancer, suspected functioning adrenal tumor, dominant nodule size < 1 cm or ≥ 4 cm, myelolipomas, cysts, and hematomas. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to predict follow-up imaging (FUI) and hormonal screening orders as a function of patient age and sex, nodule size, and CAR/DS use. CAR/DS reports were compared to conventional reports regarding ordering provider compliance with, frequency, and completeness of, guideline-warranted recommendations for FUI and hormonal screening of adrenal incidentalomas using Chi-square test.

RESULT

Of 174 patients (mean age 62.4; 51.1% women) with adrenal incidentalomas, 62% (108/174) received CAR/DS-based recommendations versus 38% (66/174) unassisted recommendations. CAR/DS use was an independent predictor of provider compliance both with FUI (Odds Ratio [OR]=2.47, p = 0.02) and hormonal screening (OR=2.38, p = 0.04). CAR/DS reports recommended FUI (97.2%,105/108) and hormonal screening (87.0%,94/108) more often than conventional reports (respectively, 69.7% [46/66], 3.0% [2/66], both p <0.0001). CAR/DS recommendations more frequently included instructions for FUI time, protocol, and modality than conventional reports (all p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Ordering providers were at least twice as likely to comply with report recommendations for FUI and hormonal evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas generated using CAR/DS versus unassisted reporting. CAR/DS-directed recommendations were more adherent to guidelines than those generated without.

The odds of neoplasia in dogs with and without diabetes mellitus

Background

Increased risk of neoplasia in humans with diabetes mellitus (DM) is well documented. It is unknown if dogs with DM have increased risk of neoplasia.

Objective

Determine if dogs with DM have an overall increased risk of neoplasia and risk for specific forms of neoplasia compared to dogs without DM.

Animals

Seven hundred dogs with DM and 700 breed, age, and sex‐matched dogs without DM, examined during the same years.

Methods

Retrospective case‐control study. Odds ratios (OR), corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), and P‐values were calculated using conditional logistic regression to determine if dogs with DM had increased odds of developing neoplasia compared to dogs without DM.

Results

The overall odds of developing neoplasia were not significantly different in dogs with and without DM. However, dogs with DM had significantly higher odds of developing an adrenal mass (OR, 4; 95% CI, 1.1‐14.2; P = .03) compared to dogs without DM. The odds of developing a splenic mass in dogs with DM (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.99‐1.39) were increased compared to dogs without DM, but this difference was not significant (P = .07).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with DM may be at increased risk for adrenal neoplasia. Awareness of this risk can facilitate early diagnosis of this life‐threatening comorbidity. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Adrenal Incidentaloma: Prevalence and Referral Patterns From Routine Practice in a Large UK University Teaching Hospital

Context

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are increasingly being identified during unrelated imaging. Unlike AI clinical management, data on referral patterns in routine practice are lacking.

Objective

This work aimed to identify factors associated with AI referral.

Methods

We linked data from imaging reports and outpatient bookings from a large UK teaching hospital. We examined (i) AI prevalence and (ii) pattern of referral to endocrinology, stratified by age, imaging modality, scan anatomical site, requesting clinical specialty, and temporal trends. Using key radiology phrases to identify scans reporting potential AI, we identified 4097 individuals from 479 945 scan reports (2015-2019). Main outcome measures included prevalence of AI and referral rates.

Results

Overall, AI lesions were identified in 1.2% of scans. They were more prevalent in abdomen computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans (3.0% and 0.6%, respectively). Scans performed increased 7.7% year-on-year from 2015 to 2019, with a more pronounced increase in the number with AI lesions (14.7% per year).Only 394 of 4097 patients (9.6%) had a documented endocrinology referral code within 90 days, with medical (11.8%) more likely to refer than surgical (7.2%) specialties (P < .001). Despite prevalence increasing with age, older patients were less likely to be referred (P < .001).

Conclusion

While overall AI prevalence appeared low, scan numbers are large and rising; the number with identified AI are increasing still further. The poor AI referral rates, even in centers such as ours where dedicated AI multidisciplinary team meetings and digital management systems are used, highlights the need for new streamlined, clinically effective systems and processes to appropriately manage the AI workload.

Limited Role of Hair Cortisol and Cortisone Measurement for Detecting Cortisol Autonomy in Patients With Adrenal Incidentalomas

Several studies demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of hair glucocorticoid measurement in patients with overt Cushing syndrome, but few data are available for patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) and cortisol autonomy. The aim of our study was to assess whether measurement of 5 corticosteroid hormones with the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method in the keratin matrix is useful to stratify patients with AI by the presence of autonomous cortisol secretion [ACS] (defined as serum cortisol after 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) > 138 nmol/l) or possible ACS [PACS] (defined as serum cortisol after 1 mg DST > 50 nmol/l but ≤138 nmol/l). We analysed data of 67 AI patients (32 with cortisol autonomy) and 81 healthy subjects. We did not find any significant statistical difference comparing hair cortisol, cortisone, and 20β-dihydrocortisol concentrations between healthy controls and AI patients, while 6β-hydroxycortisol and 11-deoxycortisol were undetectable. Moreover, no significant difference was found in hair cortisol, cortisone, and 20β-dihydrocortisol levels of AI patients with or without cortisol autonomy. Finally, we did not find any correlation in patients with AI between hormonal concentrations in the keratin matrix and serum, salivary, and urinary cortisol levels, or with body mass index. In conclusion, our findings suggest that hair glucocorticoid measurement is not suitable as a diagnostic test for cortisol autonomy (ACS and PACS).

Adrenal wash-out CT: moderate diagnostic value in distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses

OBJECTIVE

Reliable results of wash-out CT in the diagnostic workup of adrenal incidentalomas are scarce. Thus, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of delayed wash-out CT and determined thresholds to accurately differentiate adrenal masses.

DESIGN

Retrospective, single-center cohort study including 216 patients with 252 adrenal lesions who underwent delayed wash-out CT. Definitive diagnoses based on histopathology (n = 92) or comprehensive follow-up.

METHODS

Size, average attenuation values of the adrenal lesions in all CT scan phases, and absolute and relative percentage wash-out (APW/RPW) were determined by an expert radiologist blinded for clinical data. Adrenal lesions with unenhanced attenuation values >10 Hounsfield units (HU) built a subgroup (n = 142). Diagnostic accuracy was calculated.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 171 adenomas, 32 other benign tumors, 11 pheochromocytomas, 9 adrenocortical carcinomas, and 29 other malignant tumors. All (potentially) malignant and 46% of benign lesions showed unenhanced attenuation values >10 HU. In this most relevant subgroup, the established thresholds of 60% for APW and 40% for RPW misclassified 35.9 and 35.2% of the masses, respectively. When we applied optimized cutoffs (APW >83%; RPW >58%) and excluded pheochromocytomas, we missed only one malignant tumor by APW and none by RPW. However, only 11 and 15% of the benign tumors were correctly identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Wash-out CT with the established thresholds for APW and RPW is insufficient to reliably diagnose adrenal masses. Using the proposed cutoff of 58% for RPW, malignant tumors will be correctly identified, but the added value is limited, namely 15% of patients with benign tumors can be prevented from additional imaging or even unnecessary surgery.

Approach to the Patient With Adrenal Incidentaloma

Adrenal tumors are commonly discovered incidentally on cross-sectional abdominal imaging performed for reasons other than adrenal mass. Incidence of adrenal tumors increased 10-fold in the past 2 decades, with most diagnosed in older adults. In any patient with a newly discovered adrenal mass, determining whether the adrenal mass is malignant and whether it is hormonally active is equally important to guide the best management. Malignancy is diagnosed in 5% to 8% of patients with adrenal tumors, with a higher risk in young patients, if history of extra-adrenal malignancy, in those with large adrenal tumors with indeterminate imaging characteristics, and in bilateral adrenal tumors. Although overt hormone excess is uncommon in adrenal incidentalomas, mild autonomous cortisol secretion can be diagnosed in up to 30% to 50% of patients. Because autonomous cortisol secretion is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and metabolic abnormalities, all patients with adrenal incidentalomas require work up with dexamethasone suppression test. Management of adrenal tumors varies based on etiology, associated comorbidities, and patient's preference. This article reviews the current evidence on the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with adrenal mass and focuses on management of the most common etiologies of adrenal incidentalomas.

Cardiometabolic Outcomes and Mortality in Patients with Adrenal Adenomas in a Population-based Setting

CONTEXT

While adrenal adenomas have been linked with cardiovascular morbidity in convenience samples of patients from specialized referral centers, large-scale population-based data are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and incidence of cardiometabolic disease and assess mortality in a population-based cohort of patients with adrenal adenomas.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA.

PATIENTS

Patients diagnosed with adrenal adenomas without overt hormone excess and age- and sex-matched referent subjects without adrenal adenomas.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Prevalence, incidence of cardiometabolic outcomes, mortality.

RESULTS

(Adrenal adenomas were diagnosed in 1004 patients (58% women, median age 63 years) from 1/01/1995 to 12/31/2017. At baseline, patients with adrenal adenomas were more likely to have hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.96, 95% CI 1.58-2.44], dysglycemia (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.33-2.00), peripheral vascular disease (aOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.32-2.06), heart failure (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.15-2.33), and myocardial infarction (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02-2.22) compared to referent subjects. During median follow-up of 6.8 years, patients with adrenal adenomas were more likely than referent subjects to develop de novo chronic kidney disease [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.46, 95% CI 1.14-1.86], cardiac arrhythmia (aHR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08-1.58), peripheral vascular disease (aHR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05-1.55), cardiovascular events (aHR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.73), and venous thromboembolic events (aHR 2.15, 95% CI 1.48-3.13). Adjusted mortality was similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Adrenal adenomas are associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in a population-based cohort.

Abnormal body composition in patients with adrenal adenomas

OBJECTIVE

Increased visceral fat and sarcopenia are cardiovascular risk factors that may explain increased cardiovascular morbidity and frailty in patients with adrenal adenomas. Our objective was to compare body composition measurement of patients with adrenal adenomas to referent subjects without adrenal disease.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study, 2014-2018.

METHODS

Participants were adults with nonfunctioning adrenal tumor (NFAT), mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), and Cushing syndrome (CS) and age, sex, and BMI 1:1 matched referent subjects without adrenal disorders. Main outcome measures were body composition measurements calculated from abdominal CT imaging. Intra-abdominal adipose tissue and muscle mass measurements were performed at the third lumbar spine level.

RESULTS

Of 227 patients with adrenal adenomas, 20 were diagnosed with CS, 76 with MACS, and 131 with NFAT. Median age was 56 years (range: 18-89), and 67% were women. When compared to referent subjects, patients with CS, MACS, and NFAT demonstrated a higher visceral fat (odds ratio (OR): 2.2 (95% CI: 0.9-6.5), 2.0 (1.3-3.2), and 1.8 (1.2-2.7) and a lower skeletal muscle area (OR: 0.01 (95% CI: 0-0.09), 0.31 (0.18-0.49), and 0.3 (1.2-2.7)) respectively. For every 1 µg/dL cortisol increase after overnight dexamethasone, visceral fat/muscle area ratio increased by 2.3 (P = 0.02) and mean total skeletal muscle area decreased by 2.2 cm2 (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Patients with adrenal adenomas demonstrate a lower muscle mass and a higher proportion of visceral fat when compared to referent subjects, including patients with NFAT. Even a subtle abnormality in cortisol secretion may impact health of patients with adenomas.

Nonfunctional adrenal adenomas and impaired glucose metabolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Evidence on nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma's (NFAI) associated comorbidities and in particular, glucose disorders, is unclear in contrast to adrenal tumors with mild autonomous cortisol secretion. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the burden of impaired glucose metabolism including diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and fasting blood insulin (FBI) levels in patients with NFAI and 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ODST) ≤ 1.8 μg/dl across published studies.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases for identifying studies published between 1956 and March 2021. Twenty-five studies met the selection criteria including prospective, retrospective, and case-control studies. Two reviewers independently extracted studies, participants' characteristics and outcome data in a total pooled sample of 1548 patients.

RESULTS

Patients with NFAI had twofold [(odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 2.03 (1.39-2.98)] increased odds to present T2DM as well as higher FBG [weighted mean difference (WMD) (95% CI): 3.85 (1.96-5.74)] and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) [WMD (95% CI): 0.68 (0.23-1.12)] with respect to controls. On the contrary, the WMD of FBI levels did not differ between the two groups. The incidence of T2DM in a subgroup analysis of patients with NFAI without glucose disorders at baseline was 6% [pooled incidence (95% CI): 0.06 (0.04-0.09)].

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with NFAI and 1-mg ODST ≤ 1.8 μg/dl presented higher odds of T2DM and higher levels of FBG and HOMA index than healthy controls.

Presentation and outcomes of adrenal ganglioneuromas: A cohort study and a systematic review of literature

OBJECTIVE

To describe the presentation and outcomes of patients with adrenal ganglioneuromas (AGNs).

DESIGN

Single-centre retrospective cohort study (1 January 1995 to 31 December 2019) and systematic review of literature (1 January 1980 to 19 November 2019).

PATIENTS

Diagnosed with histologically confirmed AGN.

MEASUREMENTS

Baseline clinical, imaging and biochemical characteristics, recurrence rates and mortality. Subgroup analysis was performed on tumours with histologic elements of ganglioneuroma and pheochromocytoma (ie composite tumours).

RESULTS

The cohort study included 45 patients with AGN, 20 (44%) of which had composite tumours. Compared to pure AGN, patients with composite tumour were older (median age, 62.5 vs. 35 years, p < .001), had smaller tumours (median size, 3.9 vs. 5.7 cm, p = .016) and were discovered incidentally less frequently (65% vs. 84%, p = .009). No recurrences or ganglioneuroma-specific mortality occurred during follow-up (range, 0-266 months). The systematic review included 14 additional studies and 421 patients. The mean age of diagnosis was 39 years, and 47% were women. AGNs were discovered incidentally in 72% of patients, were predominantly unilateral (99%) and had a mean diameter of 5.8 cm and an unenhanced computed tomography (CT) attenuation of -118 to 49 Hounsfield units (HU). On imaging, 69% of AGNs were homogenous, 41% demonstrated calcifications, and 40% were lobulated.

CONCLUSIONS

AGNs are rare benign tumours that present with variable imaging features including large size, unenhanced CT attenuation >20 HU, calcifications and lobulated shape. Imaging characteristics can assist in establishing a diagnosis and avoiding an unnecessary adrenalectomy. The association of pheochromocytomas with AGNs is frequent. Diagnosis should include biochemical testing.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Corticotropin in Autonomous Cortisol Secretion

Autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) affects up to 50% of patients with adrenal adenomas. Despite the limited evidence, clinical guidelines recommend measurement of serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and corticotropin (ACTH) to aid in the diagnosis of ACS. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of serum concentrations of DHEA-S and ACTH in diagnosing ACS. We conducted a retrospective single center study of adults with adrenal adenoma evaluated between 2000−2020. Main outcome measure was diagnostic accuracy of DHEA-S and ACTH. ACS was defined as post-dexamethasone cortisol >1.8 mcg/dL. Of 468 patients, ACS was diagnosed in 256 (55%) patients with a median post-DST cortisol of 3.45 mcg/dL (range, 1.9–32.7). Patients with ACS demonstrated lower serum concentrations of DHEA-S (35 vs. 87.3 mcg/dL, p < 0.0001) and ACTH (8.3 vs. 16 pg/mL, p < 0.0001) compared to patients with non-functioning adrenal tumors (NFAT). Serum DHEA-S concentration <40 mcg/dL diagnosed ACS with 84% specificity and 81% PPV, while serum ACTH concentration <10 pg/mL diagnosed ACS with 75% specificity and 78% PPV. The combination of serum concentrations of DHEA-S <40 mcg/dL and ACTH <10 pg/mL diagnosed ACS with the highest accuracy with 92% specificity and 87% PPV. Serum concentrations of DHEA-S and ACTH provide additional value in diagnosing ACS.

Approach to large adrenal tumors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the data concerning approach to large adrenal tumors (LAT's), since recent guidelines published in 2016 recommend individual approach rather than clear size cut-off of a tumor that should be removed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although the risk of malignancy clearly correlates with the size of a lesion, tumor size of more than 4 cm in diameter represents only 31-61% specificity for the diagnosis of malignant tumor. Therefore, the risk of malignancy and decision about surgery should not be based only on the size of a tumor but assessed in terms of imaging studies, growth pattern during follow-up and new tool that is urine/serum steroid metabolomics.

SUMMARY

Approach to patients with LAT's should be individualized. Patients with LAT's should be managed by an expert multidisciplinary team, that includes an endocrinologist, a radiologist, a pathologist, and an adrenal surgeon.

Cardiovascular and metabolic consequences in patients with asymptomatic adrenal adenomas

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The incidence of adrenal tumors has increased over the past 20 years, most of which are incidentally discovered nonfunctioning adenomas (NFA) and tumors with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). This review aimed to summarize recent progress in understanding cardiometabolic risk in patients with NFA and MACS and to provide updates on the effect of treatment on improving outcomes in this population.

RECENT FINDINGS

NFA and MACS are associated with adverse cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic derangements, which are likely mediated by excessive glucocorticoid secretion. Recent studies showed significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism, obesity, and dyslipidemia in patients with NFA and MACS. Adrenalectomy may improve comorbidities in selected patients.

SUMMARY

Asymptomatic adrenal adenomas are common and are associated with adverse cardiometabolic changes. In selected patients, adrenalectomy may reduce cardiometabolic risk and improve clinical outcomes.

Risk of bone fractures after the diagnosis of adrenal adenomas: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Several small studies reported increased prevalence and incidence of asymptomatic vertebral fractures in patients with non-functioning adrenal adenomas and adenomas with mild autonomous cortisol secretion. However, the risk of symptomatic fractures at vertebrae, and at other sites remains unknown. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and incidence of symptomatic site-specific fractures in patients with adrenal adenomas.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study, Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, 1995-2017.

METHODS

Participants were the patients with adrenal adenoma and age/sex-matched referent subjects. Patients with overt hormone excess were excluded. Main outcomes measures were prevalence and incidence of bone fractures.

RESULTS

Of 1004 patients with adrenal adenomas, 582 (58%) were women, and median age at diagnosis was 63 years (20-96). At the time of diagnosis, patients had a higher prevalence of previous fractures than referent subjects (any fracture: 47.9% vs 41.3%, P = 0.003, vertebral fracture: 6.4% vs 3.6%, P = 0.004, combined osteoporotic sites: 16.6% vs 13.3%, P = 0.04). Median duration of follow-up was 6.8 years (range: 0-21.9 years). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, tobacco use, prior history of fracture, and common causes of secondary osteoporosis, patients with adenoma had hazard ratio of 1.27 (95% CI: 1.07-1.52) for developing a new fracture during follow up when compared to referent subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with adrenal adenomas have higher prevalence of fractures at the time of diagnosis and increased risk to develop new fractures when compared to referent subjects.

Adrenal Vein Cortisol to Metanephrine Ratio for Localizing ACTH-Independent Cortisol-Producing Adenoma: A Case Report

Context

Finding the source of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent cortisol-producing adenoma in the patients with subclinical Cushing syndrome (SCS) and bilateral adrenal nodules is sometimes challenging. Computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography are helpful, but adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the gold standard approach. However, interpretation of AVS is important to improve the accuracy of decision-making for surgery. We report a case and review of the literature to assess the benefit of using adrenal vein cortisol to metanephrine ratio to determine the source of cortisol production in SCS and bilateral nodules.

Evidence Acquisition

Three authors searched PubMed for data on patients with SCS who had AVS procedure and measurements of cortisol and catecholamines.

Case Description

A 51-year-old woman with SCS and hypertension crisis presented to our clinic. Paraclinical investigations revealed that she had an ACTH-independent cortisol-producing adenoma and her CT scan showed bilateral adrenal nodules. After AVS, cortisol (high to low) lateralization ratio could not determine the source of cortisol production but the cortisol to metanephrine ratio localized the source to the left side, which included the larger nodule according to CT measurements. Left adrenalectomy led to clinical and paraclinical improvement.

Conclusion

There is a possibility of co-secretion of other steroids accompanied with cortisol in the setting of ACTH-independent SCS. Moreover, cortisol measurement alone and interpretation of AVS results based on cortisol values may not help lateralizing the source of cortisol production with bilateral adrenal nodules. Therefore, we suggest applying cortisol to metanephrine ratio with the same gradient (gradient > 2.3, highest to lowest concentration) when the source of cortisol production cannot be determined by cortisol lateralization ratio.