ADRENAL MACROTUMOR DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTED- TOMOGRAPHY - REPORT OF 33 PATIENTS

Background: Adrenal tumors of more than 6 cm diameter, also called mac rotumors, cause diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Aim: To perform a n analysis of adrenal macrotumors diagnosed by CAT scan between 1984 a nd 1995. Patients and methods: Thirty three patients aged 9 to 86 year s old, 15 female, with an adrenal macrotumor diagnosed by CAT scan, we re analyzed. Results: Thirty percent of tumors were functioning (70% s ecreted cathecolamines and 30% cortisol). Eighty two percent had an ad renal localization and 48% were para-adrenal. thirty four percent were malignant. These tumors were mostly non functioning, 70% occurred in men and 67% were metastatic. Conclusions: Most adrenal macrotumors in this series were non functioning and 36% were malignant.