Adrenal Surgery

Abstract

This chapter looks at how the past two decades have witnessed a significant increase in the diagnosis of both functioning and non-functioning adrenal tumours. The widespread use of cross-sectional imaging has unveiled a previously undiagnosed reservoir of as many as 10% of adults with enlarged adrenal glands. Increasingly sensitive oncological staging has led to the identification of patients with previously undiagnosed solitary adrenal metastases. The (slow) acceptance of screening of hypertensive populations for hyperaldosteronism has been encouraged by the recognition of the potential benefits of adrenal surgery in hyperaldosteronism. All of these changes have increased the number of patients considered for adrenal surgery.