Gynecomastia in a Man With Adrenal Mass

Estrogen-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is exceedingly rare, representing 1% to 2% of all ACCs. We present a case of a 65-year-old man diagnosed with an estrogen-secreting, 4.3-cm right adrenal mass discovered during work-up for bilateral gynecomastia. Gynecomastia and hyperestrogenism resolved after laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and pathology was reported as adrenocortical adenoma. However, 5 years later, he again developed bilateral gynecomastia because of recurrent hyperestrogenism. Imaging revealed multiple metastases in the abdomen. Urine steroid profiling demonstrated increased androgen precursors, androgen metabolites, and glucocorticoid precursors. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of one of the metastases confirmed ACC. Initial therapy included debulking surgery with removal of metastatic lesions. Mitotane therapy was initiated 4 weeks later along with hydrocortisone for anticipated mitotane-induced adrenal insufficiency. Histopathology from the adrenalectomy specimen 5 years earlier was rereviewed and confirmed ACC. Estrogen-secreting adrenal tumors are exceedingly rare, and the majority are malignant. This case underlines the importance of making an initial accurate diagnosis of adrenal malignancy that allows better surgical planning and appropriate monitoring. Indeterminate imaging characteristics of the adrenal mass, as well as the presentation with estrogen excess, suggested an elevated risk for ACC. Initial pathology-based misdiagnosis illustrates the need for an expert adrenal pathologist to review these rare tumors.

Accuracy of DOTATATE PET imaging in the preoperative planning of small bowel neuroendocrine tumor resection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We assessed the accuracy of preoperative gallium-68 DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate (DOTATATE) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in estimating multifocality and nodal metastases of small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (sbNETs).

METHODS

A multicenter analysis was performed on patients with sbNETs who underwent preoperative DOTATATE PET imaging and surgical resection, with manual palpation of the entire length of the small bowel, between January 2016 and August 2022. Preoperative imaging reports and blinded secondary imaging reviews were compared to the final postoperative pathology reports. Descriptive statistics were applied.

RESULTS

One-hundred and four patients met inclusion criteria. Pathology showed 53 (51%) patients had multifocal sbNETs and 96 (92%) had nodal metastases. The original preoperative DOTATATE PET imaging identified multifocal sbNET in 28 (27%) patients and lymph node (LN) metastases in 80 (77%) patients. Based on original radiology reports, sensitivity for multifocal sbNET identification was 45%, specificity was 92%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 86%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 62%. For the identification of LN metastases, sensitivity was 82%, specificity was 88%, PPV was 99%, and NPV was 29%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although DOTATATE PET imaging is specific and relatively accurate, sensitivity and NPV are insufficient to guide surgical planning. Preoperative use should not replace open palpation to identify additional synchronous lesions or to omit regional lymphadenectomy.

Adrenal Neoplasms: Lessons from Adrenal Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards

The radiologic diagnosis of adrenal disease can be challenging in settings of atypical presentations, mimics of benign and malignant adrenal masses, and rare adrenal anomalies. Misdiagnosis may lead to suboptimal management and adverse outcomes. Adrenal adenoma is the most common benign adrenal tumor that arises from the cortex, whereas adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor of the cortex. Adrenal cyst and myelolipoma are other benign adrenal lesions and are characterized by their fluid and fat content, respectively. Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the adrenal medulla. Metastases to the adrenal glands are the most common malignant adrenal tumors. While many of these masses have classic imaging appearances, considerable overlap exists between benign and malignant lesions and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Atypical adrenal adenomas include those that are lipid poor; contain macroscopic fat, hemorrhage, and/or iron; are heterogeneous and/or large; and demonstrate growth. Heterogeneous adrenal adenomas may mimic ACC, metastasis, or pheochromocytoma, particularly when they are 4 cm or larger, whereas smaller versions of ACC, metastasis, and pheochromocytoma and those with washout greater than 60% may mimic adenoma. Because of its nonenhanced CT attenuation of less than or equal to 10 HU, a lipid-rich adrenal adenoma may be mimicked by a benign adrenal cyst, or it may be mimicked by a tumor with central cystic and/or necrotic change such as ACC, pheochromocytoma, or metastasis. Rare adrenal tumors such as hemangioma, ganglioneuroma, and oncocytoma also may mimic adrenal adenoma, ACC, metastasis, and pheochromocytoma. The authors describe cases of adrenal neoplasms that they have encountered in clinical practice and presented to adrenal multidisciplinary tumor boards. Key lessons to aid in diagnosis and further guide appropriate management are provided. © RSNA, 2023 Online supplemental material is available for this article. Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.

Single institutional analysis of resectable pancreatic cancer

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Background: In recent years, there has been a shift towards neo-adjuvant treatment (NAT) of non-metastatic pancreas cancer in the hopes of improving negative margin rate, lymph node negativity, recurrence and survival. Even patients deemed resectable based on NCCN criteria are receiving NAT but data for these patients remains limited. This current study evaluated the outcomes of patients diagnosed with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods: Patients were retrospectively identified through the Mayo Clinic, Rochester SPORE pancreatic cancer registry as well as search of the electronic medical record via Advanced Cohort Explorer from May 2011 to 2016. Baseline demographics, tumor characteristics, treatments rendered, and outcomes were collected. Variables were analyzed for association with recurrence from time of surgery and survival from time of diagnosis using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: A total of 520 patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma were identified. 72 patients received upfront chemotherapy with 44 (61.1%) proceeding to surgical resection. 62 patients received upfront chemotherapy followed by radiation with 33 (53.2%) proceeding to surgical resection. 12 patients received upfront radiation alone with 7 (58.3%) proceeding to surgical resection. 374 patients did not receive any NAT with 293 (78.3%) proceeding to surgical resection. In total, 377 (72.5%) went to resection. Median time to recurrence from surgery was 27.7 months vs. 21.7 months for NAT and upfront resection, respectively (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.60-1.72, p = 0.48). Median overall survival from diagnosis for those receiving NAT was 40.6 months vs. 24.7 months for those receiving upfront resection (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.92, p = 0.02). Conclusions: This study shows an approximate 16 month improvement in overall survival of patients receiving upfront NAT for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This might be due to a better selection of patients. It also highlights that not all patients with resectable cancer undergo resection. Further studies are warranted to identify why resectable patients are not proceeding to resection and which specific NAT approaches benefit patients the most.

What is the definition of successful lysis: reporting standard?

Deep vein thrombosis, and the resultant development of post-thrombotic syndrome, is a significant health issue. Recent evidence demonstrates that the severity of post-thrombotic syndrome symptoms is directly related to the level of venous thrombosis and following treatment these subsequent symptoms are inversely related to the degree of thrombus removal. If we can improve, and preferably standardise the terminology associated with pre-treatment assessment of thrombus load and post-treatment success of thrombus removal techniques, we should then be able to choose more tailor-made techniques to greater benefit our patients. A number of scoring systems have been devised for the assessment of venous thrombus burden, with a majority impractical for everyday usage. In order to provide a more practical solution, the lower extremity thrombosis classification has been developed, using information on anatomical location for venous thrombus combined with a clinical indicator as to the likely sequelae. Anatomical success following venous thrombolysis can be defined by assessing restoration of anterograde flow in the treated vein or the percentage degree of thrombolysis, using venography. The second option is the method most frequently utilised, with the Venous Registry grading system applied. Data from recent trials have given us conflicting and confusing data mainly because we are not using standardised terminology. We urgently need to agree on a standard method of description of thrombus removal before stent placement which also incorporates the likely clinical impact of the area involved in the thrombosis.

Shaped-bolus protocol reduces contrast medium volume in abdominal CT while maintaining image quality

AIM

To prospectively assess whether bolus shaping to exponentially decrease the contrast medium injection rate leads to alteration in image validity or renal function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, patients alternatively received 100 ml contrast medium versus 75 ml via bolus shaping. Image quality was assessed via measurement of attenuation values in the aorta, liver, and spleen and also blinded subjective assessment of image sharpness, low contrast detectability, image noise, and overall quality. Renal function was assessed by change in creatinine levels up to 72 hours post-contrast medium administration.

RESULTS

Of 190 abdominal computed tomography (CT) studies performed in the 3-month period, 98 received the 75 ml dose. There was no significant difference in renal function or objective image quality with a significant improvement in image sharpness in the 100 ml group.

CONCLUSIONS

By using bolus-shaping software, it is possible to maintain objective image quality while reducing the contrast medium load to the patient. This has significant implications regarding clinical practice in decreasing cost and risks associated with iodinated contrast media.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-induced pituitary apoplexy

Pituitary apoplexy represents an uncommon endocrine emergency with potentially life-threatening consequences. Drug-induced pituitary apoplexy is a rare but important consideration when evaluating patients with this presentation. We describe an unusual case of a patient with a known pituitary macroadenoma presenting with acute-onset third nerve palsy and headache secondary to tumour enlargement and apoplexy. This followed gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) agonist therapy used to treat metastatic prostate carcinoma. Following acute management, the patient underwent transphenoidal debulking of his pituitary gland with resolution of his third nerve palsy. Subsequent retrospective data interpretation revealed that this had been a secretory gonadotropinoma and GNRH agonist therapy resulted in raised gonadotropins and testosterone. Hence, further management of his prostate carcinoma required GNRH antagonist therapy and external beam radiotherapy. This case demonstrates an uncommon complication of GNRH agonist therapy in the setting of a pituitary macroadenoma. It also highlights the importance of careful, serial data interpretation in patients with pituitary adenomas. Finally, this case presents a unique insight into the challenges of managing a hormonal-dependent prostate cancer in a patient with a secretory pituitary tumour.

LEARNING POINTS

While non-functioning gonadotropinomas represent the most common form of pituitary macroadenoma, functioning gonadotropinomas are exceedingly rare.Acute tumour enlargement, with potential pituitary apoplexy, is a rare but important adverse effect arising from GNRH agonist therapy in the presence of both functioning and non-functioning pituitary gonadotropinomas.GNRH antagonist therapy represents an alternative treatment option for patients with hormonal therapy-requiring prostate cancer, who also have diagnosed with a pituitary gonadotropinoma.

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis involving the right thalamus

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis is a rare but often fatal disease if left untreated. A 50-year-old woman was admitted with lethargy, confusion, dysphasia and cough. MRI brain demonstrated bilateral temporal and perisylvian hyperintense signal abnormality extending into the cingulate gyrus, typical of HSV encephalitis. However, there was also signal abnormality involving the right thalamus, indicating thalamic involvement. EEG and cerebrospinal fluid PCR confirmed HSV encephalitis. The patient was started on intravenous acyclovir resulting in marked improvement. Adequate assessment and prompt treatment of HSV encephalitis will aid in achieving adequate recovery. Radiological investigation plays a crucial role in diagnosis with typical MR features a useful aid to diagnosis. HSV encephalitis classically involves the medial temporal lobes, insula and cingulated gyri. The basal ganglia and thalami are nearly always spared. We present a very rare case of HSV encephalitis which involved the right thalamus.

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma-A case study and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Primary retroperitoneal tumours of mucinous type are extremely rare and can be further sub-divided into benign, borderline or cystadenocarcinoma. Prompt diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumours is important as the majority are malignant.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Our case describes a 30year old woman, presenting with a 3month history of intermittent right iliac fossa pain. Abdominal examination demonstrated a mass palpable in the right iliac fossa. Ultrasonography of the abdomen demonstrated a cystic mass with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the pelvis further defining the lesion. Laparoscopy was performed to further evaluate and ultimately remove the retroperitoneal mass. Macroscopic and microscopic examination reported mucinous epithelium of endocervical type with no evidence of invasion. Findings were consistent with primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma.

DISCUSSION

This is the 19th reported case of a benign primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma in the English literature. The origin of mucinous cystadenomas in the retroperitoneum is widely debated with multiple theories suggested. Diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumours is important but difficult as serological investigations, ultrasonography, computed topography and magnetic resonance imaging, although useful, cannot allow a confident diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma is a benign tumour, however because of the malignant nature of the majority of mucinous retroperitoneal tumours they should be considered in the differential of chronic abdominal pain despite their rarity.

Implementing effective staff education about advance directives

The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 guarantees the right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to draft advance directives. This review of the current literature provides those in nursing staff development and inservice education with an overview of advance directives and their implications for nursing education and practice. Possible core subjects for inclusion in planned, purposeful, advance directive education programs are examined, including cultural sensitivity, facilitator skills, interviewing techniques, legal information, patient autonomy, and reasoning and decision making. This review provides a platform for future research.