Adrenal cyst – A diagnostic quandary

Abstract

Adrenal cysts are rare benign entities that commonly masquerade as more serious illnesses. They are usually asymptomatic and non-functional. Here, we present a case of a large left adrenal cyst of size 10.8 × 10.2 × 7.8 cm in a 25-year-old male, who initially presented with fever and abdominal pain, with clinical suspicion of an abdominal malignant neoplasm. Laboratory workup was unremarkable, while the histopathological diagnosis was that of a benign true adrenal cyst – epithelial type. This case report highlights the rarity of cysts larger than 4 cm, radiological and pathological features for appropriate diagnosis, as well as subclassification of the cyst, which is essential to institute optimal treatment.

Unusual cause of chronic abdominal pain in a 17-year-old female: a case report of an epithelial adrenal cyst

“…In addition to the low incidence rate of epithelial cysts, the few reported cases of epithelial cysts were in older patients. Accordingly, the development of true adrenal cysts in younger people is a rare event, only one study reported a similar case in a slightly older patient aged 25 years [ 9 ].…”

“…However, surgical resection is recommended for: symptomatic cysts regardless of their size, cysts larger than 5 cm and when malignancy is suspected. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy remains the preferred approach, as described in this case, whereas others can be adequately managed with follow-up imaging [ 9 ].…”