Haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocysts: a systematic review of a rare condition from family physicians’ perspective during the COVID-19 global pandemic

Abstract

Adrenal cysts are rare lesions that could be epithelial, endothelial, parasitic or haemorrhagic[1], as well as pseudocysts. Haemorrhagic adrenal cysts are extremely rare and are often asymptomatic, so diagnosis can be really challenging. This can prove really difficult for primary care physicians who are often the frontline clinicians these patients tend to present to. They are usually benign lesions and do not often cause mortality if detected early and prompt surgery is done, as was the case with the patient in our case report[4]. When they do become symptomatic, they can present with different systemic symptoms as documented in literature, including in our case report[2,4]. Diagnosis is usually through Ultrasound and CT Scan and management is largely laparoscopic or open excision depending on the size of the lesion, surgical expertise and local protocol. Most patients make full recovery and mortality is extremely low [3]. The aim of this review is to provide a broader overview of the subject, highlight salient points in several studies relating to haemorrhagic cysts, provide an up to date follow up information on the index patient in our case report and to explore possible areas for future study [4,6]. This review also includes a suggested management algorithm and intends to emphasize the fact that patients who present in primary, urgent or emergency care settings with persistent non-specific symptoms should be investigated for rare diseases.