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Bowling GC, Maloney TJ, Bui QVV, Pavio M, D'Ambrosio D, Chesnut GT. Adrenal cyst presenting with clinical features of a pheochromocytoma. Radiol Case Rep 2024; 19:3855-3860. [PMID: 39035025 PMCID: PMC11259675 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Benign adrenal cysts are relatively uncommon variants of all adrenal incidentalomas. When identified, most benign adrenal cysts are asymptomatic, which differentiates them from other functional adrenal lesions. There are various types of adrenal cysts, although the most common being an endothelial cyst. Ultimately, evaluation and management approaches are aimed at ruling out a functional adrenal mass and management of symptoms if present. We present a unique presentation of an otherwise healthy male with a large incidental adrenal cyst, later identified as a benign endothelial cyst, who presented with classic symptoms of catecholamine excess. The patient had a negative hormonal evaluation, and his episodic symptoms were resolved with surgical removal of the adrenal mass. This case report and brief review provides valuable insight into the evaluation and management of a unique clinical scenario, where a benign cystic mass led to compression-related symptoms of catecholamine excess that were resolved after removal of the nonfunctional, cystic, mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gartrell C. Bowling
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Trevor J. Maloney
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
| | - Quan VV Bui
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Michael Pavio
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Department of Radiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
| | - Danielle D'Ambrosio
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
| | - Gregory T. Chesnut
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
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Bozic Antic I, Djurisic I, Nikolic S. Adrenal Cysts: To Operate or Not to Operate? J Clin Med 2024; 13:846. [PMID: 38337539 PMCID: PMC10856713 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030846] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Adrenal cysts are uncommon and usually asymptomatic, and therefore are usually incidentally discovered adrenal lesions. They have a broad pathohistological spectrum that includes pseudocysts and endothelial (vascular), parasitic, and epithelial (mesothelial) cysts. Although most adrenal cysts are benign and hormonally non-functional lesions, some can have ambiguous imaging appearances and mimic malignant adrenal neoplasms. On the other hand, the actual malignant neoplasms could undergo cystic transformation. Additionally, immune cell infiltrations, thrombosis, or haemorrhage seen in sepsis can frequently cause adrenal cyst development, raising a question about the possible connection between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and adrenal cystic lesions. Due to the disease's rarity, the likelihood of malignancy, and the lack of specific guidelines, the management of adrenal cysts is always challenging especially in a young person. This review discusses the important diagnostic and the current treatment possibilities for adrenal cystic lesions. Aiming to emphasize clinical dilemmas and help clinicians navigate the challenges when encountering a patient with an adrenal cyst in everyday practice, we based our review on a practical question-answer framework centred around the case of a young woman with an incidentally discovered large adrenal cyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bozic Antic
- Department of Endocrinology, Euromedik General Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Dentistry Pancevo, University Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Igor Djurisic
- Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Srdjan Nikolic
- Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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3
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Calissendorff J, Juhlin CC, Sundin A, Bancos I, Falhammar H. Adrenal cysts: an emerging condition. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023:10.1038/s41574-023-00835-2. [PMID: 37095252 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00835-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Adrenal cysts are rare lesions representing approximately 1-2% of adrenal incidentalomas. The majority of these rare lesions are benign. Rarely, phaeochromocytomas and adrenal malignant masses can present as cystic lesions and can occasionally be difficult to distinguish from benign cysts. Histologically, adrenal cysts are subdivided into pseudocysts, endothelial cysts, epithelial cysts and parasitic cysts. The radiological appearance of an adrenal cyst is generally similar to that of cysts in the kidney. They are thus well demarcated, usually rounded, with a thin wall and homogenous internal structure, low attenuating (<20 Hounsfield Units) on CT, low signalling on T1-weighted MRI sequences and high signalling on T2-weighted MRI sequences, and anechoic or hypoechoic on ultrasonography. Benign adrenal cysts have a slight female predominance and are usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60. Most adrenal cysts are asymptomatic and are detected incidentally, although very large adrenal cysts can lead to mass effect symptoms, with surgery required to alleviate the symptoms. Thus, conservative management is usually recommended for asymptomatic cysts. However, when uncertainty exists regarding the benign nature of the cyst, additional work-up or follow-up is needed. The management of an adrenal cyst should preferably be discussed at an adrenal multidisciplinary team meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Calissendorff
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C Christofer Juhlin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Sundin
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Radiology & Molecular Imaging, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irina Bancos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Henrik Falhammar
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Dogra P, Navin PJ, McKenzie TJ, Foster T, Dy B, Lyden M, Young WF, Bancos I. Clinical, imaging and biochemical presentation of cystic pheochromocytomas. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 98:32-40. [PMID: 35445428 PMCID: PMC9585148 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cystic adrenal mass is a rare imaging presentation of pheochromocytoma. We aimed to describe the clinical, biochemical and imaging characteristics of patients with cystic pheochromocytoma. DESIGN Single-centre, retrospective study, 2000-2020. PATIENTS Consecutive patients with cystic pheochromocytoma were identified from our institutional pathology and adrenal tumour database. RESULTS Of the 638 patients with pheochromocytomas, 21 (3.2%) had cystic pheochromocytomas (median age: 57 years, 57% women). Most pheochromocytomas were discovered incidentally (57%) or due to symptoms of catecholamine excess (24%). The median tumour size was 6.4 cm. On imaging, cystic pheochromocytomas were round or oval (90%), heterogeneous lesions (86%) with a thick solid rim (median rim thickness 13.9 mm, unenhanced computed tomography (CT) attenuation 40 Hounsfield units (HU), venous-phase CT attenuation 83 HU), and a median cystic component of 40% (unenhanced CT attenuation 17.6 HU, venous-phase CT attenuation 20.4 HU), and rarely with calcifications (15%). All 20 patients with biochemical testing had functioning tumours (adrenergic in 80%, noradrenergic in 20%). Total urinary metanephrine excretion correlated with the volume of the solid component (R2 = .75, p < .0001) but not the cystic component (R2 = .04, p = .4386). All patients underwent adrenalectomy (48% laparoscopic, 52% open), and the median duration of hospital stay was 4 days. CONCLUSIONS Cystic pheochromocytomas are rare, large tumours with a phenotypic appearance that can masquerade as other adrenal cystic lesions. The degree of biochemical abnormality in cystic pheochromocytomas is associated with the volume of the solid component. All patients with adrenal cysts that have a solid component or an unenhanced attenuation >10 HU should undergo biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Dogra
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Benzon Dy
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Melanie Lyden
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - William F. Young
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Irina Bancos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Adrenal cysts - optimal laparoscopic treatment. Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne 2018; 13:288-291. [PMID: 30302140 PMCID: PMC6174168 DOI: 10.5114/wiitm.2018.75872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adrenal cysts develop in up to about 0.2% of the overall population. They may account for up to 11% of all pathologies of adrenal glands. Aim Is laparoscopic resection of adrenal cysts a method for the treatment of these pathologies? Material and methods In the years 2010-2017, a total of 27 patients underwent surgery due to adrenal cysts; those included 18 (66.7%) women and 9 (33.3%) men aged 29 to 84 years (mean age: 42.7). Cyst diameter ranged from 55 to 130 mm. After exclusion of hormonal hyperactivity, parasitic cysts, or, to the best possible extent, cancer lesions, patients were qualified for adrenal-sparing laparoscopic surgery. Results All patients were subjected to laparoscopic surgery. Cystic wall resection was performed in 15 (55.6%) patients while adrenalectomy was performed in the remaining 12 (44.4%) patients. The decision regarding the extent of the surgery was made intraoperatively. Histopathological assessment revealed pathological adrenal lesions in as few as 3 (11.1%) patients, with the rest of the study population, i.e. 24 (88.9%), presenting with normal adrenal tissue. Conclusions Laparoscopic resection of adrenal cysts appears to be recommendable as a method for the treatment of these pathologies. It is simpler than adrenalectomy and associated with low risk of any pathological lesion remaining within the adrenal gland following careful intraoperative assessment by an experienced surgeon.
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Yamagata S, Kageyama K, Nomura A, Murasawa S, Ogasawara M, Kawaguchi T, Tazawa Y, Ogawa Y. A Case Of Cystic Pheochromocytoma With Hypertension And Headaches Mimicking A Large Pancreatic Cystic Tumor. AACE Clin Case Rep 2017. [DOI: 10.4158/ep161408.cr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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[Ruptured vascular adrenal cyst after being hit by a wave]. Urologe A 2016; 55:801-4. [PMID: 27126676 DOI: 10.1007/s00120-016-0091-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cysts of the adrenal gland are a rare entity of adolescents. We here present the case of a 19-year-old woman, who developed right abdominal pain after trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor in the right adrenal gland with suspicious signs for malignancy. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of an endothelial (vascular) adrenal cyst. In most cases, cysts of the adrenal gland remain clinically inapparent. In cases of clinically manifest symptoms, surgical intervention represents the standard for therapy.
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Natkaniec M, Pędziwiatr M, Wierdak M, Major P, Migaczewski M, Matłok M, Budzyński A, Rembiasz K. Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Lateral Adrenalectomy for Large Adrenal Tumors. Urol Int 2016; 97:165-72. [PMID: 26963130 DOI: 10.1159/000444146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the gold standard for treatment of benign adrenal lesions. Tumor size is a factor that might influence decision-making concerning the use of laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of adrenalectomy for tumors ≥6 cm in diameter. METHODS Two groups of patients were analyzed: first group comprised 441 patients with tumors <6 cm in diameter and second group consisted of 89 patients with tumors ≥6 cm. Both groups were compared with regard to the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, conversion and complications rate. RESULTS Median duration of surgery in groups 1 and 2 amounted to 86.6 and 111.9 min (p < 0.0001), respectively. Median intraoperative blood loss in groups 1 and 2 was 56.5 and 172.8 ml (p < 0.0001), respectively. There was a linear relationship between tumor size and the duration of surgery, and between tumor size and intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.0001). There were 2 (0.5%) and 6 (6.7%) conversions in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were 41 (9.3%) and 14 (15.7%) complications in groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.0692), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic adrenalectomy of tumors ≥6 cm is more difficult, but it can be regarded safe and beneficial for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Natkaniec
- 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Lyu X, Liu L, Yang L, Gao L, Wei Q. Surgical management of adrenal cysts: a single-institution experience. Int Braz J Urol 2015; 40:656-65. [PMID: 25498277 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2014.05.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze surgical methods and evaluate treatment efficacy and safety for managing adrenal cystic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients presenting with adrenal lesions of the West China Hospital were reviewed retrospectively from January 2003 to April 2013 and 47 were diagnosed as adrenal cysts. Basic information, clinical history, physical examination, laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasound and enhanced computed tomography were detailed noted. Cysts with different surgical management were analyzed and surgery option, operative time, postoperative complications and after-surgery hospital stay were all noted. The final diagnosis was judged by histopathology. Patients were followed from 3 month to 10 years. RESULTS All the 47 patients with a mean age of 43.8 years were managed by surgical intervention. Compared laparoscopic technology with open technology, the laparoscopic has the advantage of a shorter operation time, shorter hospital stay after surgery and enhanced cosmesis. The histopathologic result was: 23 (50%) were endothelial cysts and 16 (35%) were pseudocysts. One patient had evidence to recurrence at the followed-up stage. CONCLUSION Adrenal cysts are rare and with the development of imaging techniques many of these are diagnosed incidentally. CT has advantages in detecting the cysts with haemorrhage, intracystic debris, calcification and mixed adrenal mass. Minimally invasive surgery offers equivalent efficacy to traditional open procedures, while providing a shorter operation time, shorter convalescence and improved cosmesis. Patients after surgical resection should be followed up closely especially if functional cysts and histopathology of cystic tumor are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lyu
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Liangren Liu
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
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Sebastiano C, Zhao X, Deng FM, Das K. Cystic lesions of the adrenal gland: our experience over the last 20 years. Hum Pathol 2013; 44:1797-803. [PMID: 23618356 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cystic lesions of the adrenal gland are uncommon, often presenting with nonspecific clinical and radiologic findings, and are thus underrecognized. They are occasionally associated with malignant neoplasms, which can greatly mimic benign lesions and carry detrimental clinical consequences if misdiagnosed. Here we present our 20-year experience (1992-2012) with these lesions at an academic medical center. Among more than 4500 adrenal gland specimens, 31 cases of adrenal lesions with a predominant cystic component were identified in 30 patients with an age range of 34 to 86 years (median, 55.5 years) and a male/female ratio of 13:17. Macroscopic descriptions, available histologic and immunostain slides, and available radiologic records were reviewed for all included cases. Radiologic studies and gross examination correlated well, and hemorrhage (26 cases; 84%) and encapsulation (25 cases; 81%) appeared to be nonspecific radiologic/gross features shared across histologic subtypes. Microscopic review identified 12 cases (39%) of pseudocysts, 2 cases (6%) of endothelium-derived cysts, and 17 cases (55%) of epithelium-derived cysts. Among these 31 cystic adrenal lesions, 2 cases (6%) were malignant neoplasms (1 epithelioid angiosarcoma, 1 adrenocortical carcinoma). Radiologic impression and histopathologic diagnosis were concordant in 11 (73%) of the 15 cases for which radiologic records were available. This study represents the second largest case series to date on cystic adrenal lesions and presents a comprehensive review on their demographic, clinical, radiologic, and gross and microscopic pathologic features, as well as their differential diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Sebastiano
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Navigation with the use of intraoperative ultrasonography in videoscopic adrenal surgery. POLISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY 2012; 84:399-405. [PMID: 22985702 DOI: 10.2478/v10035-012-0067-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography during videoscopic adrenalectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in patients undergoing extraperitoneal videoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumours in the Department of Endocrine, General and Vascular Surgery of the Medical University in Łódź in 2008-2011. RESULTS The active group consisted of 20 patients in whom navigation with the use of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) was used in the course of surgery. The comparison group consisted of 46 patients operated without the use of IOUS. In the active group, we managed to obtain a shorter time of surgery by almost 20 min (89.44 ± 27.11 min vs 109.12 ± 33.88 min; p=0.034) and a shorter lesion access time by more than 15 min (28.61 ± 14.93 min vs 45.98 ± 20.44 min; p=0.002). Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly lower in the active group (86.11 ± 157 ml vs 169.27 ± 201.04 ml; p=0.037). In contrast, the use of IOUS did not affect the hospitalisation time (4.39 ± 3.27 days vs 3.83 ± 3.67 days; p=0.227), the rate of intraoperative complications (0/18 vs 2/41; p=1) and the conversion rate (2/20 - 10% vs 5/46 - 10.87%; p=1). CONCLUSIONS 1. Intraoperative ultrasonography is useful for determining the tumour relationship with the surrounding anatomical structures. 2. Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful technique in the assessment of adrenal tumour infiltration of the surrounding tissues. 3. This technique facilitates finding the pathological lesion, shortening the time of access to the tumour and procedure duration (thus reducing the burden for the patient). 4. Reduced blood loss was also obtained owing to the use of IOUS.
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