A novel study, textbook outcome in adrenalectomy: retrospective observational study in an endocrine surgical unit

Textbook outcome is a multidimensional quality management tool that uses a set of traditional surgical measures to reflect an "ideal" surgical result for a particular pathology. Retrospective study of all patients undergoing scheduled for adrenal tumors surgery at an endocrine surgery unit from January 2010-December 2022. The definition of Textbook Outcome were: R0 resection, no Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIa complications, no prolonged stay (< P75), no readmissions, and no mortality in the first 30 days. The main objective was to analyze the rate of Textbook Outcome obtained. One hundred and five patients were included in the study. Textbook Outcome was achieved in 71.4%. Surgical approach (p < 0.001), Charlson scale (p = 0.031), American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification (p = 0.047) and surgical time (p < 0.001) were all significantly associated with the achievement of Textbook Outcome. The laparoscopic approach was associated as an independent factor with obtaining Textbook Outcome (OR:5.394; p = 0.016), as was surgical time (OR:0.986; p = 0.004). Textbook Outcome is a novel, useful, easy-to-interpret tool for measuring results in adrenal surgery. The laparoscopic approach is associated with a higher rate of "ideal" surgical results. The study was registered in the public accessible database clinicaltrials.gov with the ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05888753.

Diagnostic performance of hepatic CT and chemical-shift MRI to discriminate lipid-poor adrenal adenomas from hepatocellular carcinoma metastases

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of multiphase hepatic CT parameters (non-contrast attenuation, absolute and relative washout ratios [APW and RPW, respectively], and relative enhancement ratio [RER]) and chemical-shift MRI (CS-MRI) for discriminating lipid-poor adrenal adenomas (with non-contrast CT attenuation > 10 HU) from metastases in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

This retrospective study included HCC patients with lipid-poor adrenal lesions who underwent multiphase hepatic CT between January 2010 and December 2021. For each adrenal lesion, non-contrast attenuation, APW, RPW, RER, and signal-intensity index (SI-index) were measured. Each parameter was compared between adenomas and metastases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) and sensitivities to achieve 100% specificity for adenoma diagnoses were determined.

RESULTS

104 HCC patients (78 men; mean age, 71.8 ± 9.6 years) with 63 adenomas and 48 metastases were identified; CS-MRI was performed in 66 patients with 49 adenomas and 21 metastases within one year of CT. Lipid-poor adenomas showed lower non-contrast attenuation (22.9 ± 7.1 vs. 37.9 ± 9.4 HU) and higher APW (40.5% ± 12.8% vs. 23.7% ± 17.4%), RPW (30.0% ± 10.2% vs. 12.4% ± 9.6%), RER (329% ± 152% vs. 111% ± 43.0%), and SI-index (43.3 ± 20.7 vs. 10.8 ± 13.4) than HCC metastases (all p < .001). AUC for non-contrast attenuation, APW, RPW, RER, and SI-index were 0.894, 0.786, 0.904, 0.969, and 0.902, respectively. The sensitivities to achieve 100% specificity were 7.9%, 25.4%, 30.2%, 63.5%, and 24.5%, respectively. Combined RER and APW achieved the highest sensitivity of 73.0%.

CONCLUSION

Multiphase hepatic CT allows for better discrimination between lipid-poor adrenal adenomas and metastases relative to CS-MRI, especially when combined with RER and washout parameters.

Pheochromocytoma Due to TMEM127 Mutation - The Importance of Genetic Testing for Clinical Decision

Apreviously healthy 53-year-old woman presented with new onset arterial hypertension diagnosed during workup for daily pulsatile bilateral frontal headaches and paroxysmal episodes of fatigue, palpitations and sweating. High urinary metanephrines were detected and an abdominal magnetic resonance image evidenced two nodular bilateral adrenal lesions and a left iliac focal lesion. ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT (fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography) scanning revealed mild-to-moderate uptake in both adrenal lesions and mild uptake in the iliac bone, whereas ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanide scintigraphy revealed uptake only in the right adrenal. CT-scan confirmed the heterogeneous nodular lesion on the right adrenal gland as suspicious for pheochromocytoma and a non-specific sclerotic lesion in the iliac. A right adrenalectomy was performed with posterior resolution of symptoms and normalisation of urinary metanephrines. Histology confirmed a pheochromocytoma and later a mutation of the TMEM127 gene was detected. The present case highlights the importance of genetic testing for pheochromocytoma in order to better guide the management of these patients.

Evaluation and management of adrenal neoplasms: endocrinologist and endocrine surgeon perspectives

The evaluation and management of adrenal disease is a complex endeavor that relies on an expert knowledge of human physiology and anatomy. Careful and proper patient assessment mandates a balanced approach which marries the disciplines of endocrinology, surgery, and radiology. Any of these three specialties may be on the front line in performing the initial workup when an adrenal neoplasm is discovered. With an ever-increasing volume of cross-sectional imaging, be it CT, MRI, or PET, large numbers of adrenal incidentalomas are being discovered. A close collaboration amongst specialties should strive to streamline the initial evaluation and minimize unnecessary testing and treatment.

Evaluation of an Adrenal Incidentaloma

Given the frequent use of cross-sectional imaging in medicine, adrenal masses are discovered at an increasing rate. Once detected, it is critical to ensure the patient undergoes the appropriate biochemical/hormonal workup to rule out any aberrant activity and ensure imaging features do not raise suspicion for a malignant neoplasm. Patients with hormonal overactivity, concerning size, and/or imaging characteristics must be referred for surgical consideration. For those not requiring adrenalectomy, it is important to determine which patients mandate follow-up to ensure no further growth or development of hormonal production. It is also critical to understand what is the appropriate follow-up.

Percutaneous microwave ablation of adrenal tumours under ultrasound guidance in 33 patients with 35 tumours: A single-centre experience

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of adrenal tumours under ultrasound (US) guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 33 consecutive patients with 35 tumours were enrolled. The term 'technical success' is used to indicate whether the tumour was treated according to protocol and was covered completely by the ablation zone. Technical success, local tumour progression (LTP) and complications were recorded. For seven patients with eight biochemically active tumours, biochemical markers were recorded prior to and after the ablation procedure.

RESULTS

In this study, technical success was achieved in all cases. Follow-up imaging was performed on 31 patients with 33 tumours (excluding two patients who were lost to follow-up). LTP occurred for five tumours (15.2%) at a mean of 24 months of follow-up (range 3-82 months). In the subgroup analysis of tumour size and LTP, a significant difference was noted between tumours with a diameter ≤5 cm compared with those >5 cm (p < 0.01). For seven cases of metabolically active adrenal tumours, technical success was confirmed in all patients, and LTP occurred in one case of recurrent pheochromocytoma. All patients demonstrated the normalisation of abnormal biochemical markers after ablation. No major complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous MWA under US guidance is effective in terms of good local control of adrenal tumours with a diameter of less than or equal to 5 cm and is capable of treating biochemically active tumours harbouring clinical syndromes.

The Value of Nonenhanced Single-Source Dual-Energy CT for Differentiating Metastases From Adenoma in Adrenal Glands

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the value of the nonenhanced single-source dual-energy computed tomography (ssDECT) in differentiating metastases from adenomas in adrenal glands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board, and written informed consent was waived. One hundred twelve patients (66 men:46 women; mean age, 58 years) with 63 adrenal metastases (AMs) and 64 adrenal adenomas (AAs) underwent a plain dual-energy spectral CT imaging from August 2011 to December 2013 were included. The fat (water) density (DFa [Wa]) from the material decomposition (MD) images and CT number and effective atomic number (eff-Z) from the virtual monochromatic spectral (VMS) image sets were measured for the AMs and AAs. The spectral Hounsfield unit (HU) curve (CT number as a function of photon energy from 40 to 140 keV) was generated, and its slope (K) was calculated. The difference of these parameters between AMs and AAs was statistically compared by the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curves were used to compare the diagnostic efficacies of these measures in the identification of AAs and AMs. The distribution of spectral HU curve was analyzed using the chi-square test in terms of its slope K: ascending (K > 0.1), straight (-0.1 ≤ K ≤ 0.1), and descending (K < -0.1).

RESULTS

1) The CT number (medium, range) of metastases (50.47, 29.93 HU at 40 keV and 29.00, 9.36 HU at 140 keV) was significantly higher than that of adenomas (-0.76, 33.04 to 13.73, 18.96 HU) at each energy level from 40 to 140 keV (P < .05). 2) The fat concentration of metastases (-177.37, 296.38 mg/mL) was statistically lower than that of adenomas (126.73, 328.07 mg/mL; P < .05). 3) The eff-Z of metastases (7.76, 0.23) was significantly higher than that of adenomas (7.42, 0.32; P < .05). 4) With CT number of VMS image at 40 keV of 21.78 HU as a threshold, the sensitivity and specificity for differentiating metastases from adenomas was 92.1% and 76.6%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.90. 5) The spectral curve types included 3.2% (2 of 63) ascending, 20.6% (13 of 63) straight, and 76.2% (48 of 63) descending for the metastases, whereas the corresponding numbers were 60.9% (39 of 64), 21.9% (14 of 64), and 17.2% (11 of 64) for the adenomas. The difference was statistically significant (X(2) = 56.63; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The nonenhanced ssDECT enables a multiparametric approach to provide an excellent sensitivity for identifying AMs from AAs.

Radiographic evaluation of nonfunctioning adrenal neoplasms

Incidental adrenal neoplasms are usually nonfunctioning benign adenomas. Once hormonal production has been assessed, the nonsecreting lesions must be evaluated for the possibility of malignancy. This evaluation relies primarily on the radiographic characteristics. This article focuses on the current state of radiologic technology available to accurately assess nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas. As this technology advances, a lesion's malignant potential can more accurately be determined, thereby allowing physicians to make more informed treatment recommendations.

Primary mature cystıc teratoma mimickıng an adrenal mass in an adult male patient

Teratomas are bizarre neoplasms derived from embryonic tissues that are typically found only in the gonadal and sacrococcygeal regions of adults. Primary retroperitoneal teratomas are rare and present challenging management options. We report a case of a unilateral primary retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma mimicking an adrenal mass in a 54-year-old male patient. Complete resection of the adrenal mass was performed by the flank approach by using the 11th rib resection. Because of the risk of malignancy, follow-up radiographic studies were performed to ensure the oncologic efficacy of resection. The patient has been free of recurrence for longer than 12 months.