Adrenal incidentaloma: Report of 33 cases

Background and Objectives: The aim of our study was to review the imaging c haracteristics, endocrinologic screening and histologic diagnoses of adrena l incidentaloma cases encountered in our institute. Methods: Thirty-three adrenal incidentaloma cases that had been evaluated i n Hacettepe University Hospital between 1985 and 1995 were reviewed retrosp ectively. Adrenal masses were discovered incidentally by abdominal ultrason ography (USG) and/or computed tomography (CT). Detailed endocrine evaluatio n was carried out to rule out a possible functioning mass. Results: Among these incidentaloma cases, 2 silent Cushing syndrome (6.06%) cases, 6 silent pheochromocytoma (18.18%) cases, 2 adrenocortical carcinom a (6.06%) cases, and 2 metastatic masses (6.06%) were diagnosed. Conclusions: An optimal diagnostic approach to an adrenal incidentaloma wou ld consider the results of the biochemical tests and a review of anatomical qualities depicted on CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while taking into account the previous clinical epidemiologic data. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999 ;70:247-250. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.