Multidisciplinary Approach for Patients with Functional and Non-functional Adrenal Masses and Review of the Literature

Background: Adrenal incidentalomas are adrenal masses that are discovered by imaging tests performed for other reasons.

Aims: In this retrospective study, we analysed 229 Turkish patients with adrenal masses and who presented with or without complaints.

Study Design: Descriptive retrospective study and review of the literature.

Methods: This study conducted a retrospective review of 229 patients with adrenal incidentalomas that were referred to Cukurova University Hospital's endocrinological department between 2009 and 2014. We reviewed detailed patient histories, physical examination findings, and symptoms and signs related to hormonal hypersecretion or malignant neoplasm and recorded clinical indications for performing diagnostic radiological imaging. The statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS-19 software.

Results: Of the 229 patients reviewed, 195 (85.2%) had non-functional, benign adrenal adenomas, and 34 (14.8%) had functional lesions. Among those with functional lesions, 8 (3.5%) had lesions that secreted excess cortisol, 11 (4.8%) had lesions that secreted aldosterone, and 15 (6.6%) had lesions that secreted catecholamines. Eighty-four patients included in the study (36.8%) underwent adrenalectomy; in 14 of these cases, the adrenalectomy was performed before surgical treatment criteria occurred. The most frequent pathologic diagnosis was adrenal cortical neoplasia (n = 38); 32 of these patients had adenomas (Weiss <4 criteria), and 6 had carcinomas (Weiss >4 criteria). Other patient diagnoses included benign pheochromocytoma (n = 13), pseudocyst (n = 12), metastasis (n = 10), haemorrhage (n = 3), necrosis (n = 1), hyperplasia (n = 2), and other (n = 5).

Conclusions: Detailed endocrinological and radiological assessments of the mass nature and hormone status are necessary in cases of adrenal incidentaloma. Appropriate surgical treatment or periodic follow-up must be determined based on the assessment results.