[Adrenal incidentaloma: a clinical problem related to imaging]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2005 Aug 13;149(33):1821-6.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Two female patients, 68 and 67 years of age, were referred for right abdominal pain and pyelonephritis, respectively. During the diagnostic work-up, an unsuspected adrenal mass was found in both patients. Hormonal evaluation and imaging showed a benign non-hyperactive functioning adenoma in one patient and a pheochromocytoma in the other. Both patients were successfully treated with endoscopic adrenalectomy. Wider application and improvement of abdominal imaging procedures have caused an increase of incidentally detected adrenal masses, posing a common clinical problem. Typically, a diagnosis can be made on the basis of the characteristic radiological image. The exact nature of the defect is often unclear and further evaluation is required to determine functionality and possible malignancy. An algorithm is presented for the management of adrenal incidentalomas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery
  • Adrenalectomy / methods
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery
  • Pyelonephritis / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome