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Hamidi O, Shah M, Zhang CD, Lazik N, Li D, Singh S, Iñiguez-Ariza NM, Raman R, Hurtado MD, Carafone L, Khanna A, Yan Q, Natt N, Hartman RP, McKenzie T, Young WF, Bancos I. Clinical and imaging presentations are associated with function in incidental adrenocortical adenomas: a retrospective cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 191:47-54. [PMID: 38941271 PMCID: PMC11234193 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvae078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Hamidi
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States
| | - Muhammad Shah
- Olmsted Medical Center, Rochester, MN 55904, United States
| | - Catherine D Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology, Froedtert and MCW Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Natalia Lazik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Dingfeng Li
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Sumitabh Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States
| | - Nicole M Iñiguez-Ariza
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Ram Raman
- Watford General Hospital, West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Watford, WD18 0HB, England, United Kingdom
| | - Maria D Hurtado
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Lindsay Carafone
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 13627, United States
| | - Aakanksha Khanna
- Department of Rheumatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States
| | - Qi Yan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
- Department of Surgery, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Neena Natt
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Robert P Hartman
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Travis McKenzie
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - William F Young
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Irina Bancos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
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Mu D, Qian X, Ma Y, Wang X, Gao Y, Ma X, Xie S, Hou L, Zhang Q, Zhao F, Xia L, Lin L, Qiu L, Wu J, Yu S, Cheng X. Plasma Steroid Profiling Combined With Machine Learning for the Differential Diagnosis in Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion From Nonfunctioning Adenoma in Patients With Adrenal Incidentalomas. Endocr Pract 2024; 30:647-656. [PMID: 38657794 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic value of combining plasma steroid profiling with machine learning (ML) in differentiating between mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) and nonfunctioning adenoma (NFA) in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. METHODS The plasma steroid profiles data in the laboratory information system were screened from January 2021 to December 2023. EXtreme Gradient Boosting was applied to establish diagnostic models using plasma 24-steroid panels and/or clinical characteristics of the subjects. The SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method was used for explaining the model. RESULTS Seventy-six patients with MACS and 86 patients with NFA were included in the development and internal validation cohort while the external validation cohort consisted of 27 MACS and 21 NFA cases. Among 5 ML models evaluated, eXtreme Gradient Boosting demonstrated superior performance with an area under the curve of 0.77 using 24 steroid hormones. The SHAP method identified 5 steroids that exhibited optimal performance in distinguishing MACS from NFA, namely dehydroepiandrosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, 11β-hydroxytestosterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosteronesulfate. Upon incorporating clinical features into the model, the area under the curve increased to 0.88, with a sensitivity of 0.77 and specificity of 0.82. Furthermore, the results obtained through SHAP revealed that lower levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, and adrenocorticotropic hormone along with higher level of 11-deoxycortisol significantly contributed to the identification of MACS in the model. CONCLUSIONS We have elucidated the utilization of ML-based steroid profiling to discriminate between MACS and NFA in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. This approach holds promise for distinguishing these 2 entities through a single blood collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Mu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Qian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Yichen Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Yumeng Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Shaowei Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Lian Hou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Liangyu Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Liling Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Qiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Songlin Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Xinqi Cheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
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Kocic S, Vukomanovic V, Djukic A, Saponjski J, Saponjski D, Aleksic V, Ignjatovic V, Vuleta Nedic K, Markovic V, Vojinovic R. Can MDCT Enhancement Patterns Be Helpful in Differentiating Secretory from Non-Functional Adrenal Adenoma? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 60:72. [PMID: 38256333 PMCID: PMC10819253 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Primary adrenal tumors (AT) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms due to their functional heterogeneity, which results in the diverse clinical presentation of these tumors. The purpose of this study was to examine cross-sectional imaging characteristics using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) to provide insight into the lesion characterization and functional status of these tumors. The radionuclide imaging using Technetium-99m radiolabeled hydrazinonicotinylacid-d-phenylalanyl1-tyrosine3-octreotide (99mTc-HYNIC-TOC), was also used in the diagnostic evaluation of these tumors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with confirmed diagnoses of AT (21 hormone-secreting and 29 non-functional) at the University Clinical Center, Kragujevac, Serbia, during the 2019-2022 year period. The morphological and dynamic characteristics using MDCT were performed, using qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative analysis. Absolute washout (APW) and relative washout (RPW) values were also calculated. A semi-quantitative analysis of all visual findings with 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC was performed to compare the tumor to non-tumor tracer uptake. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the MDCT values in the native phase (p < 0.05), the venous phase (p < 0.05), and the delayed phase (p < 0.001) to detect the existence of adrenal tumors. Most of these functional adrenocortical lesions (n = 44) can be differentiated using the delayed phase (p < 0.05), absolute percentage washout (APW) (p < 0.05), and relative percentage washout (RPW) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC could have a high diagnostic yield to detect adrenal tumor existence (p < 0.001). There is a positive correlation between radionuclide imaging scan and APW to detect all AT (p < 0.01) and adrenocortical adenomas as well (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The results can be very helpful in a diagnostic algorithm to quickly and precisely diagnose the expansive processes of the adrenal glands, as well as to learn about the advantages and limitations of the mentioned imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Kocic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vladimir Vukomanovic
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (V.I.); (K.V.N.)
- University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.V.)
| | - Aleksandar Djukic
- University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.V.)
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jovica Saponjski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.S.); (D.S.)
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusan Saponjski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.S.); (D.S.)
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vuk Aleksic
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vesna Ignjatovic
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (V.I.); (K.V.N.)
- University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.V.)
| | - Katarina Vuleta Nedic
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (V.I.); (K.V.N.)
- University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.V.)
| | - Vladan Markovic
- University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.V.)
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Radisa Vojinovic
- University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.D.); (V.M.); (R.V.)
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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Kim CK, Kang KA, Oh YL, Park SY. Role of computed tomography in predicting adrenal adenomas with cortisol hypersecretion. Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20221032. [PMID: 37393525 PMCID: PMC10461282 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20221032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate performance of adrenal CT-derived multivariate prediction models in differentiating adenomas with cortisol hypersecretion from the other subtypes. METHODS This retrospective study included 127 patients who underwent adrenal CT and had a surgically proven adrenal adenoma. Adenoma subtypes were defined according to biochemical test results: Group A, overt cortisol hypersecretion; Group B, mild cortisol hypersecretion; Group C, aldosterone hypersecretion; and Group D, non-function. Two independent readers analyzed size, attenuation, and washout properties of adenomas, and performed quantitative and qualitative analyses for assessing contralateral adrenal atrophy. Actual and internally validated areas under the curves (AUCs) of adrenal CT-derived multivariate prediction models for differentiating adenomas with cortisol hypersecretion from the other subtypes were assessed. RESULTS In differentiating Group A from the other groups, the actual and internally validated AUCs of the prediction model were 0.856 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.786, 0.926) and 0.847 (95% CI: 0.695, 0.999) for Reader 1, respectively, and 0.901 (95% CI: 0.845, 0.956) and 0.897 (95% CI: 0.783, 1.000) for Reader 2, respectively. In differentiating Group B from groups C and D, the actual and internally validated AUCs of the prediction model were 0.777 (95% CI: 0.687, 0.866) and 0.760 (95% CI: 0.552, 0.969) for Reader 1, respectively, and 0.783 (95% CI: 0.690, 0.875) and 0.765 (95% CI: 0.553, 0.977) for Reader 2, respectively. CONCLUSION Adrenal CT may be useful in differentiating adenomas with cortisol hypersecretion from the other subtypes. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Adrenal CT may benefit in adrenal adenoma subtyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Kyo Kim
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung A Kang
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Lyun Oh
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yoon Park
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zhu H, Wu L, Su T, Jiang L, Zhou W, Jiang Y, Zhang C, Zhong X, Wang W. Association between contralateral adrenal and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in benign adrenocortical tumors. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1199875. [PMID: 37560307 PMCID: PMC10407553 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1199875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Adrenal incidentaloma (AI) is commonly discovered on cross-sectional imaging. Mild autonomous cortisol secretion is the most common functional disorder detected in AI. Objective To delineate the association between radiological characteristics of benign adrenocortical tumors and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Methods In the study, 494 patients diagnosed with benign unilateral adrenocortical tumors were included. Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) was diagnosed when cortisol after 1mg-dexamethasone suppression test (1-mg DST) was in the range of 1.8-5ug/dl. Non-functional adrenocortical tumor (NFAT) was diagnosed as cortisol following 1-mg DST less than 1.8ug/dL. We performed Logistics regression and causal mediation analyses, looking for associations between radiological characteristics and the HPA axis. Results Of 494 patients, 352 (71.3%) with NFAT and 142 (28.7%) with MACS were included. Patients with MACS had a higher tumor diameter, thinner contralateral adrenal gland, and lower plasma ACTH and serum DHEAS than those with NFAT. ACTH (OR 0.978, 0.962-0.993) and tumor diameter (OR 1.857, 95%CI, 1.357-2.540) were independent factors associated with decreased serum DHEAS (all P<0.05). ACTH was also associated with decreased contralateral adrenal diameter significantly (OR 0.973, 95%CI, 0.957-0.988, P=0.001). Causal mediation analysis showed ACTH mediated the effect significantly for the association between 1-mg DST results and DHEAS level (Pmediation<0.001, proportion=22.3%). Meanwhile, we found ACTH mediated 39.7% of the effects of 1-mg DST on contralateral adrenal diameter (Pmediation=0.012). Conclusions Patients with MACS had thinner contralateral adrenal glands and disturbed HPA axes compared with NFAT. ACTH may partially be involved in mediating the mild autonomous cortisol secretion to DHEAS and the contralateral adrenal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luming Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingwei Su
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiran Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Zhong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqing Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumors, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Corwin MT, Kadivar SC, Graves CE, Kamangar E, Carney BW, Campbell MJ. CT of hemorrhagic adrenal adenomas: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2023; 48:680-687. [PMID: 36380211 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03741-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the appearance of chronically hemorrhagic adenomas on adrenal protocol CT and correlate imaging with pathologic findings. METHODS Retrospective case series of adult patients with resected adrenal adenomas showing internal hemorrhage at histology. Seven of nine patients underwent pre-operative adrenal protocol CT and 2/7 underwent unenhanced CT with portal venous phase CT. Two abdominal radiologists in consensus assessed the CT images for the presence of calcifications, macroscopic fat, cystic/necrotic appearance, and the presence, pattern, and percent nodule volume of areas < 10 HU on unenhanced CT. Absolute washout was calculated using a large ROI, and ROIs on the highest and lowest attenuating regions on the portal venous phase. RESULTS Mean adenoma length was 4.9 cm. All adenomas had areas measuring < 10 HU on unenhanced CT, ranging from < 20 to > 80% nodule volume. Calcifications were present in 4/9 adenomas and gross fat in 4/9 on CT. Of the seven cases with adrenal protocol CT, the absolute washout was < 60% in 5/7 using the large ROI, 5/7 using the low attenuation ROI, and 7/7 using the high attenuation ROI. At histology, all nine cases had microscopic evidence of hemorrhage, lipid rich adenoma cells, and fibrosclerosis. Myelolipomatous changes were identified in 4/9 cases, with the remaining five cases showing lipomatous metaplasia without a myeloid component. CONCLUSION Chronically hemorrhagic adrenal adenomas demonstrated variable areas < 10 HU on unenhanced CT corresponding to lipid rich adenoma cells. Absolute washout was most often < 60%, hypothesized to be due to fibrosclerosis within the adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Corwin
- Davis Medical Center, Department of Radiology, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Sohrab C Kadivar
- Davis Medical Center, Department of Pathology, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4400 V Street, Pathology Building, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Claire E Graves
- Davis Medical Center, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, 2221 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Elham Kamangar
- Davis Medical Center, Department of Pathology, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4400 V Street, Pathology Building, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Benjamin W Carney
- Davis Medical Center, Department of Radiology, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Michael J Campbell
- Davis Medical Center, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, 2221 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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A machine learning approach to distinguishing between non-functioning and autonomous cortisol secreting adrenal incidentaloma on magnetic resonance imaging using texture analysis. Ir J Med Sci 2022:10.1007/s11845-022-03105-8. [PMID: 35877014 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-03105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the possibility of distinguishing between nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) and autonomous cortisol secreting adrenal incidentalomas (ACSAI) with a model created with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics and clinical features. METHODS In this study, 100 adrenal lesions were evaluated. The lesions were segmented on unenhanced T1-weighted in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP) as well as on T2-weighted (T2-W) 3Tesla MRIs. The LASSO regression model was used to select potential predictors from 108 texture features for each sequence. Subsequently, a combined radiomics score and clinical features were created and compared. RESULTS A significant difference was found between median rad-scores for ACSAI and NFAI in training and test sets (p < 0.05 for all sequences). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the length of the tumor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.007) was an independent risk factor related to ACSAI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for building clinical-radiomics (combined) models. The Op, IP, and IP plus T2-W model had a higher performance with area under curve (AUC) 0.758, 0.746, and 0.721 on the test dataset, respectively. CONCLUSION ACSAI can be distinguished from NFAI with high accuracy on unenhanced MRI. Radiomics analysis and the model constructed by machine learning algorithms seem superior to another radiologic assessment method. The inclusion of chemical shift MRI and the length of the tumor in the radiomics model could increase the power of the test.
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Pan W, Zhang H, Jin S, Li X, Yang J, Zhang B, Dong X, Ma L, Ji W. Development and Validation of a Clinical-Image Model for Quantitatively Distinguishing Uncertain Lipid-Poor Adrenal Adenomas From Nonadenomas. Front Oncol 2022; 12:902991. [PMID: 35912200 PMCID: PMC9326106 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.902991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThere remains a demand for a practical method of identifying lipid-poor adrenal lesions.PurposeTo explore the predictive value of computed tomography (CT) features combined with demographic characteristics for lipid-poor adrenal adenomas and nonadenomas.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively recruited patients with lipid-poor adrenal lesions between January 2015 and August 2021 from two independent institutions as follows: Institution 1 for the training set and the internal validation set and Institution 2 for the external validation set. Two radiologists reviewed CT images for the three sets. We performed a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm to select variables; subsequently, multivariate analysis was used to develop a generalized linear model. The probability threshold of the model was set to 0.5 in the external validation set. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the model and radiologists. The model was validated and tested in the internal validation and external validation sets; moreover, the accuracy between the model and both radiologists were compared using the McNemar test in the external validation set.ResultsIn total, 253 patients (median age, 55 years [interquartile range, 47–64 years]; 135 men) with 121 lipid-poor adrenal adenomas and 132 nonadenomas were included in Institution 1, whereas another 55 patients were included in Institution 2. The multivariable analysis showed that age, male, lesion size, necrosis, unenhanced attenuation, and portal venous phase attenuation were independently associated with adrenal adenomas. The clinical-image model showed AUCs of 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91, 0.98), 0.93 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.97), and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.94) in the training set, internal validation set, and external validation set, respectively. In the external validation set, the model showed a significantly and non-significantly higher accuracy than reader 1 (84% vs. 65%, P = 0.031) and reader 2 (84% vs. 69%, P = 0.057), respectively.ConclusionsOur clinical-image model displayed good utility in differentiating lipid-poor adrenal adenomas. Further, it showed better diagnostic ability than experienced radiologists in the external validation set.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Pan
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Huangqi Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huangqi Zhang, ; Wenbin Ji,
| | - Shengze Jin
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing University, Taizhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Jiawen Yang
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Binhao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Xue Dong
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang University, Taizhou, China
| | - Ling Ma
- He Kang Corporate Management (Shanghai) Co.Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Ji
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huangqi Zhang, ; Wenbin Ji,
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9
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Olmos R, Mertens N, Vaidya A, Uslar T, Fernandez P, Guarda FJ, Zúñiga Á, San Francisco I, Huete A, Baudrand R. Discriminative Capacity of CT Volumetry to Identify Autonomous Cortisol Secretion in Incidental Adrenal Adenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e1946-e1953. [PMID: 35020922 PMCID: PMC9272424 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Incidentally discovered adrenal adenomas are common. Assessment for possible autonomous cortisol excess (ACS) is warranted for all adrenal adenomas, given the association with increased cardiometabolic disease. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the discriminatory capacity of 3-dimensional volumetry on computed tomography (CT) to identify ACS. METHODS Two radiologists, blinded to hormonal levels, prospectively analyzed CT images of 149 adult patients with unilateral, incidentally discovered, adrenal adenomas. Diameter and volumetry of the adenoma, volumetry of the contralateral adrenal gland, and the adenoma volume-to-contralateral gland volume (AV/CV) ratio were measured. ACS was defined as cortisol ≥ 1.8 mcg/dL after 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and a morning ACTH ≤ 15. pg/mL. RESULTS We observed that ACS was diagnosed in 35 (23.4%) patients. Cortisol post-DST was positively correlated with adenoma diameter and volume, and inversely correlated with contralateral adrenal gland volume. Cortisol post-DST was positively correlated with the AV/CV ratio (r = 0.46, P < 0.001) and ACTH was inversely correlated (r = -0.28, P < 0.001). The AV/CV ratio displayed the highest odds ratio (1.40; 95% CI, 1.18-1.65) and area under curve (0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.96) for predicting ACS. An AV/CV ratio ≥ 1 (48% of the cohort) had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 70% to identify ACS. CONCLUSION CT volumetry of adrenal adenomas and contralateral adrenal glands has a high discriminatory capacity to identify ACS. The combination of this simple and low-cost radiological phenotyping can supplement biochemical testing to substantially improve the identification of ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anand Vaidya
- Center for Adrenal Disorders, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Uslar
- Department of Endocrinology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, 8330077, Chile
- Program for Adrenal Disorders, CETREN UC, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, 8330077, Chile
| | - Paula Fernandez
- Program for Adrenal Disorders, CETREN UC, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, 8330077, Chile
| | - Francisco J Guarda
- Department of Endocrinology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, 8330077, Chile
| | - Álvaro Zúñiga
- Department of Urology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330077, Chile
| | - Ignacio San Francisco
- Department of Urology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330077, Chile
| | | | - René Baudrand
- Correspondence: René Baudrand, M.D., Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, 4th FL, RM, Santiago, Chile, 8330077, USA.
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10
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Bleier J, Pickovsky J, Apter S, Fishman B, Dotan Z, Tirosh A, Shlomai G. The association between adrenal adenoma size, autonomous cortisol secretion and metabolic derangements. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2022; 96:311-318. [PMID: 34877671 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) is common in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI). ACS is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Data regarding the association between radiological characteristics of adrenal adenomas, their hormonal functionality and metabolic outcomes, are scarce and inconclusive. In this study, we aim to delineate the association between radiological characteristics of AI, ACS and metabolic status. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 77 patients with AI who underwent a comprehensive hormonal evaluation. Radiological assessments were performed by an independent radiologist blinded to the clinical and hormonal phenotype of each case. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between post dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol levels, metabolic indices and radiological measurements. RESULTS Mean maximal adenoma diameter was greater in patients with versus without ACS (20.35 ± 6 vs. 27.09 ± 9.3 mm, respectively, p < .01). Maximal adenoma diameter was found to be positively and linearly correlated with post-DST morning cortisol levels across their entire range (R = .474, p < .01). Linear correlations between maximal adenoma diameter and indices of glycemic control showed a correlation coefficient (R) of .481 and .463 for fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), respectively, p < .01. When analysis included only patients with ACS, an R = .584 and R = .565 was observed for FPG and HbA1c, respectively (p < .01 for both). The association between maximal adenoma diameter and both FPG and post-DST morning cortisol intensified in patients with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION There is a quantitative positive mild correlation between AI size and both cortisol autonomy and metabolic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bleier
- Department of Internal Medicine D, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Jana Pickovsky
- Department of Radiology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Sara Apter
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Radiology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Boris Fishman
- Department of Internal Medicine D, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Zohar Dotan
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Urology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Amir Tirosh
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Gadi Shlomai
- Department of Internal Medicine D, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
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11
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Akkus G, Piskin F, Karagun B, Sert M, Evran M, Tetiker T. Could we assess the functional status, of hormone secreting, or non-secreting of the adrenal masses regarding their Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) characteristics? Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2021; 22:650-657. [PMID: 34931972 DOI: 10.2174/1871530322666211220111637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnostic imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should also perform on all patients with incidentalomas. However, there is a limited study whether the quantitative measurements (signal intensity index, adrenal to spleen ratio) in MRI could predict the functional status of adrenal adenomas. MATERIAL-METHOD Between 2015-2020; 404 patients (265 females, 139 males) with adrenal mass who were referred to the university hospital for further investigation were included. After detailed diagnostic hormonal evaluation, all patients underwent MRI 1.5 T device (Signa, GE Medical Systems; Milwaukee, USA). The signal intensities of the adrenal lesions on T2W images were qualitatively evaluated and noted as homogenous or heterogeneous in comparison with the liver signal intensity (SI). A chemical-shift SI index and chemical shift adrenal-to-spleen SI ratio were also calculated. RESULTS While 331(81.9%) of the patients had nonfunctional adrenal mass, the rest of them (n=73, 18.1%) were patients with functional (autonomous cortisol secretion-ACS, cushing syndrome-CS, pheochromocytoma, primary hyperaldosteronism-PA) adrenal masses. In phase vs phase values of patients with NFAI, Pheo(n=17), ACS (n=30), CS (n=11), and PA (n=15) were 474.04±126.7 vs 226.6±132.4, 495.3±182.8 vs 282.17±189.1, 445.2±134.8 vs 203.3±76.2, 506.8±126.5 vs 212.2±73.6 and 496.2±147.5 vs 246.6±102.1, respectively. Mean signal intensity index (SII) and adrenal to spleen ratio (ASR) of all groups (NFAI, Pheo, ACS, CS, PA) were 52.0±24.8 and 0.51, 44.9±22.5 and 0.55, 49.5±24.5 and 0.53, 56.2±16.4 and 0.43, 47.6±25.1 and 0.54, respectively. Based the current accepted measurements in the case of ASR and SII, all lesions were similar and shown as fat rich adenomas (p*= 0.552, p** = 0.45). CONCLUSION The quantitative assessment (SII, ASR) of intracellular lipids in an incidentally discovered adrenal tumour could only help distinguish adrenal masses in case of adenomas or non-adenomas As initial diagnostic evaluation, clinical and laboratory assessment ,to distinguish hormone secretion, should be taken in all patients with adrenal incidentalomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Akkus
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ferhat Piskin
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Radiology, Adana, Turkey
| | - Barış Karagun
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey
| | - Murat Sert
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey
| | - Mehtap Evran
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey
| | - Tamer Tetiker
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey
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12
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Ceccato F, Tizianel I, Voltan G, Maggetto G, Merante Boschin I, Quaia E, Crimì F, Scaroni C. Attenuation Value in Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Longitudinal Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:794197. [PMID: 34925247 PMCID: PMC8678594 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.794197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Context A tendency to grow has been reported in adrenal incidentalomas. However, long-term data regarding attenuation value, a measure of lipid content, are not available. Aim This study aims to collect radiological data (diameter in mm and attenuation value in Hounsfield units, HU) with computed tomography (CT) in adrenal incidentalomas, in order to compare baseline characteristics with the last follow-up imaging. Design This is a longitudinal study which included patients with a new diagnosis of adrenal incidentaloma, evaluated from January 2002 to June 2020. Setting Referral University-Hospital center. Patients Two hundred seventy-seven patients with 355 different cortical adenomas (baseline group) were evaluated at the first outpatient visit; the follow-up cohort consists of 181 patients with 234 adenomas (12-175 months after baseline). Inclusion criteria were conservative management and radiological features able to minimize malignancy or risk of progression. Main Outcome Measure CT modification according to endocrine function: autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) if cortisol >50 nmol/L after 1-mg dexamethasone test (DST). Results At baseline CT, mean diameter was 18.7 mm and attenuation value was 0.8 HU (higher in ACS, 66 cases >10 HU), without modification in early imaging (12-36 months). The size increased over time (r = 0.289), achieving the largest differences after at least 60 months of follow-up (mean diameter, +2 mm; attenuation value, -4 HU), combined with a reduction in the attenuation value (r = -0.195, especially in patients with ACS). Lipid-poor adenomas (>10 HU) presented a reduced cortisol suppression after 1-mg DST, an increase in size and the largest decrease in attenuation value during follow-up. Univariate analysis confirmed that larger adenomas presented reduced suppression after DST and increase in size during follow-up. Conclusions Growth is clinically modest in adrenal incidentaloma: the first follow-up CT 5 years after baseline is a reasonable choice, especially in ACS. Mean density is increased in patients with ACS and overt hypercortisolism. Mean density reduces during follow-up in all adrenal adenomas, suggesting an increase in lipid content, especially in those with ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Ceccato
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Tizianel
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giacomo Voltan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Isabella Merante Boschin
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Emilio Quaia
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Institute of Radiology, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Crimì
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Institute of Radiology, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carla Scaroni
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
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13
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Ceccato F, Barbot M, Scaroni C, Boscaro M. Frequently asked questions and answers (if any) in patients with adrenal incidentaloma. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2749-2763. [PMID: 34160793 PMCID: PMC8572215 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01615-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are incidentally discovered adrenal masses, during an imaging study undertaken for other reasons than the suspicion of adrenal disease. Their management is not a minor concern for patients and health-care related costs, since their increasing prevalence in the aging population. The exclusion of malignancy is the first question to attempt, then a careful evaluation of adrenal hormones is suggested. Surgery should be considered in case of overt secretion (primary aldosteronism, adrenal Cushing's Syndrome or pheochromocytoma), however the management of subclinical secretion is still a matter of debate. METHODS The aim of the present narrative review is to offer a practical guidance regarding the management of AI, by providing evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions. CONCLUSION The clinical experience is of utmost importance: a personalized diagnostic-therapeutic approach, based upon multidisciplinary discussion, is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ceccato
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile, 105-35128, Padova, Italy.
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy.
- Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - M Barbot
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile, 105-35128, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - C Scaroni
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile, 105-35128, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - M Boscaro
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile, 105-35128, Padova, Italy
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14
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Araujo-Castro M, Robles Lázaro C, Parra Ramírez P, García Centeno R, Gracia Gimeno P, Fernández-Ladreda MT, Sampedro Núñez MA, Marazuela M, Escobar-Morreale HF, Valderrabano P. Maximum adenoma diameter, regardless of uni- or bilaterality, is a risk factor for autonomous cortisol secretion in adrenal incidentalomas. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2349-2357. [PMID: 33683661 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01539-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate differences between patients with unilateral and bilateral adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) in the prevalence of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) and related comorbidities. METHODS In this multicentre retrospective study, AIs ≥ 1 cm without overt hormonal excess were included in the study. ACS was defined by a post-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) serum cortisol ≥ 5.0 µg/dl, in the absence of signs of hypercortisolism. For the association of ACS with the prevalence of comorbidities, post-DST serum cortisol was also analysed as a continuous variable. RESULTS Inclusion criteria were met by 823 patients, 66.3% had unilateral and 33.7% bilateral AIs. ACS was demonstrated in 5.7% of patients. No differences in the prevalence of ACS and related comorbidities were found between bilateral and unilateral AIs (P > 0.05). However, we found that tumour size was a good predictor of ACS (OR = 1.1 for each mm, P < 0.001), and the cut-off of 25 mm presented a good diagnostic accuracy to predict ACS (sensitivity of 69.4%, specificity of 74.1%). During a median follow-up time of 31.2 (IQR = 14.4-56.5) months, the risk of developing dyslipidaemia was increased in bilateral compared with unilateral AIs (HR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3.0 but, this association depended on the tumour size observed at the end of follow-up (HR adjusted by last visit-tumour size = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.1-16.2). CONCLUSIONS Tumour size, not bilaterality, is associated with a higher prevalence of ACS. During follow-up, neither tumour size nor bilaterality were associated with the development of new comorbidities, yet a larger tumour size after follow-up explained the association of bilateral AIs with the risk of dyslipidaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Araujo-Castro
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition. Hospital, Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS. Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - C Robles Lázaro
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Virgen de la Concha, Zamora, Spain
| | - P Parra Ramírez
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario la Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - R García Centeno
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Gracia Gimeno
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M T Fernández-Ladreda
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario de Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - M A Sampedro Núñez
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Marazuela
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - H F Escobar-Morreale
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, University of Alcalá, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas CIBERDEM, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Valderrabano
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Corwin MT, Lan C, Wilson M, Loehfelm TW, Campbell MJ. Can abdominal CT features predict autonomous cortisol secretion in patients with adrenal nodules? Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021; 46:4338-4344. [PMID: 33963418 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-021-03110-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine if CT features of adrenal nodules and of the remainder of the abdomen can predict autonomous cortisol secretion (ACH) in patients with adrenal nodules, and to identify a nodule size threshold below which ACH is unlikely. METHODS Retrospective review of adult patients with adrenal nodules who underwent CT of abdomen and 1-mg Dexamethasone suppression test within 1 year of each other. Patients were considered to have no ACH if serum cortisol was ≤ 1.8 µg/dL after the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test and to have possible or definite autonomous cortisol secretion if serum cortisol was > 1.8 µg/dL. The following CT features were assessed: Adrenal nodule length, nodule width, unenhanced nodule attenuation, contralateral adrenal gland thickness, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue area, skeletal muscle area and density, and unenhanced liver attenuation. RESULTS 29 patients had no autonomous cortisol secretion and 29 patients had possible or definite autonomous cortisol secretion. Nodule length and width were the only two variables that significantly differed between patients with nonfunctional nodules and those with possibly or definitely functional nodules. Using a threshold nodule length of 1.5 cm, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting possible or definite autonomous cortisol secretion was 93.1% and 37.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION Autonomous cortisol secretion in patients with adrenal nodules correlates with increasing nodule size. A nodule length threshold of 1.5 cm provides 93.1% sensitivity for predicting possible or definite ACH based on the 1-mg Dexamethasone suppression test.
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Gündoğdu E, Emekli E. CT-based Abdominal Adipose Tissue Area Changes in Patients Undergoing Adrenalectomy Due to Cushing's Syndrome and Non-functioning Adenomas. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2021; 130:368-373. [PMID: 34359077 DOI: 10.1055/a-1547-9008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of Cushing's syndrome (CS) cases constitute patients with functional adrenal adenomas. In adrenal CS, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, VAT/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and VAT/total adipose tissue (TAT) ratios are expected to decrease in response to adrenalectomy, although no change is expected in non-functioning adrenal adenomas (NFA). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in VAT, SAT, TAT areas and VAT/SAT, VAT/TAT ratios using computed tomography (CT) in patients who underwent adrenalectomy due to adenomas. METHODS Preoperative and postoperative CT of 32 patients (16 with CS and 16 with NFA) were retrospectively evaluated. The VAT, SAT, TAT areas were obtained from CT at the level of L1-2 intervertebral disc space, and the VAT/SAT, VAT/TAT ratios were calculated. The postoperative parameter changes in both groups were evaluated compared to the preoperative values. The level of statistical significance was considered as p<0.05. RESULTS The time interval between preoperative and postoperative CT measurements were 10.37 months (6-17) in CS and 9.75 months (7-15) in NFA groups (p=073). Preoperative CT indicated that the patients with CS had larger VAT and TAT areas (p=0.03, p=0.02) but SAT remained unchanged (p=0.08). However, postoperative CT revealed that there was no difference between the two groups in terms of VAT, TAT, and SAT areas (p=0.87, p=0.36, p=0.14). Postoperatively, in patients with CS, there was a decrease in VAT and TAT areas (p=0.01 for both) and VAT/SAT and VAT/TAT ratios (p=0.03, p=0.02) but SAT remained unchanged (p=0.10). In patients with NFA, no change was detected in the postoperative SAT, TAT, and VAT areas (p=0.12, p=0.40, p=0.99) or the VAT/SAT and VAT/TAT ratios (p=0.38, p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS Adrenalectomy is an effective treatment method leading to a decrease in the VAT, TAT areas, and VAT/SAT and VAT/TAT ratios in patients with cortisol producing adrenocortical adenoma. Thus, CT facilitates quantitative demonstration of the changes while evaluating the response of these patients to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Gündoğdu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Emre Emekli
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
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17
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Corwin MT, Arora A, Loehfelm TW, Fananapazir G, Campbell MJ. Adherence to guidelines for hormonal evaluation in patients with incidentally detected adrenal nodules: effects of radiology report wording and standardized reporting. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:2910-2915. [PMID: 32270262 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02517-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the rates of hormonal evaluation in patients who had CT reports describing adrenal incidentalomas with and without a specific recommendation for hormonal evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective review of adult outpatients without a history of cancer who had a CT report describing an incidental adrenal nodule. Radiology reports were reviewed to determine whether a standardized macro was used which gave specific recommendations for hormonal evaluation and endocrinology consultation. If no macro was used it was determined whether the report had a recommendation for hormonal evaluation and endocrinology consultation. RESULTS A standardized macro recommending hormonal evaluation and endocrinology referral was used in 45/129 (34.8%) reports that described an incidental adrenal nodule. A recommendation for hormonal evaluation was made in 5/84 (6.0%) reports without a macro. Hormonal evaluation was performed in 24/50 (48.0%) patients whose reports recommended it and in 11/79 (13.9%) patients whose reports did not (p < 0.0001). A recommendation for endocrinology referral was made in 2/84 (2.4%) reports without a macro. Patients were seen by endocrinology in 12/47 (25.5%) patients whose reports recommended an endocrinology referral evaluation and 5/82 (6.1%) patients whose reports did not (p < 0.0001). Hormonal evaluation was performed in 17/17 (100%) patients who were seen by endocrinology and 18/112 (16.1%) patients who were not (p < 0.0001). Eleven patients (8.5%) had an evaluation suggesting hyperfunctioning nodules (4 cortisol producing, 6 aldosterone producing, and 1 pheochromocytoma). CONCLUSIONS Utilizing standardized macros that make specific recommendations for hormonal evaluation in patients with adrenal incidentalomas leads to improved adherence to clinical guidelines.
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Correlation Between Size and Function of Unilateral and Bilateral Adrenocortical Nodules: An Observational Study. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2020; 214:800-807. [PMID: 32069079 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.19.21753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. Adrenal incidentalomas occur in 5% of adults and can produce autonomous cortisol secretion that increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The objective of our study was to evaluate the relationship between adrenal nodule size measured on CT and autonomous cortisol secretion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. In a prospective study of 73 patients 22-87 years old with incidentalomas, unilateral in 52 patients and bilateral in 21 patients, we measured maximum nodule diameter on CT and serum cortisol levels at 8:00 am, 60 minutes after the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test, and after the dexamethasone suppression test. We also studied 34 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched control subjects. Statistics used were Spearman correlation coefficients, t tests, ANOVA test, and multivariate analysis. RESULTS. The mean maximum diameter of unilateral nodules measured on CT was larger on the right (2.47 ± 0.98 [SD] cm) than on the left (2.04 ± 0.86 cm) (p = 0.01). In the bilateral cases, the mean diameter of the right nodules was 2.69 ± 0.93 cm compared with 2.13 ± 0.89 cm on the left (p = 0.06). Mean baseline serum cortisol level was significantly higher in the patients with incidentalomas (bilateral, 13.1 ± 4.5 mcg/dL [p < 0.001]; unilateral, 9.7 ± 3.2 mcg/dL [p = 0.019]) than in the control subjects (7.5 ± 3.6 mcg/dL). After dexamethasone suppression test, serum cortisol levels were suppressed to less than 1.8 mcg/dL in 100% of control subjects, 33% of patients with bilateral incidentalomas, and 62% of patients with unilateral incidentalomas (p < 0.001). There were significant correlations between maximum nodule diameter on CT and serum cortisol levels after the dexamethasone suppression test (ρ = 0.500; p < 0.001) and at baseline (ρ = 0.373; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION. Increasing size of adrenal nodules is associated with more severe hyper-cortisolism and less dexamethasone suppression; these cases need further evaluation and possibly surgery because of increased risks of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular mortality.
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Yener S, Secil M, Demir O, Ozgen Saydam B, Yorukoglu K. Chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging could predict subclinical cortisol production from an incidentally discovered adrenal mass. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2018; 88:779-786. [PMID: 29498083 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT To investigate whether any association between chemical shift magnetic resonance (MRI) findings, cortisol secretion and pathological findings exists that could predict subclinical hypercortisolism (SCH) in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI). DESIGN Retrospective, cross-sectional study in a tertiary centre. PATIENTS Sixty-eight subjects with AIs and 13 patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). Patients with AIs were categorized according to cortisol levels post 1 mg dexamethasone (post-DST). MEASUREMENTS Visual inspection of the lipid content of the adrenal tumour and calculation of adrenal-to-spleen ratio (ASR), the signal intensity index (SII), volume and the assessment of the association between pathological, radiological and hormonal findings in surgically treated patients. RESULTS Percentage of clear cells was correlated with ASR (r = -.525, P = .01), SII (r = .465, P = .025), post-DST cortisol (r = -.711, P < .001) and ACTH (r = .475, P = .046). By ANOVA and post hoc analysis, patients with CS and five subjects with a post-DST cortisol greater than 137 nmol/L differed significantly in ASR and SII from those with a post-DST cortisol less than 50 nmol/L. An ASR level higher than 0.245 (OR 19.7, 95% CI 1.5-257.5; P = .023) and a SII level lower than 78.37 (OR 15.6, 95% CI 1.2-20; P = .034) remained as the independent predictors for SCH while age, presence of arterial hypertension or tumour volume did not make significant contribution to the models. CONCLUSIONS Cortisol hypersecretion by adrenal adenomas is associated with distinctive MRI characteristics. The quantitative assessment of intracellular lipid in an AI could help distinguish patients with a clear phenotype of SCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Yener
- Department of Endocrinology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Secil
- Department of Radiology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Omer Demir
- Department of Urology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Basak Ozgen Saydam
- Department of Endocrinology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Kutsal Yorukoglu
- Department of Pathology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Abstract
During the last 20 years, a significant body of literature has accumulated regarding subclinical hypercortisolism in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. Retrospective studies have indicated these patients have an increase in cardiovascular events and mortality. Current recommendations for patients with adrenal incidentalomas include an overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Further hormonal testing and close monitoring are necessary in patients with incomplete suppression. Unilateral adrenalectomy may be beneficial in cases with abnormal suppression and comorbidities related to hypercortisolemia. Prospective studies are need for a better risk stratification and tailored therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Zavatta
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Guido Di Dalmazi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna 40138, Italy.
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