The Preoperative Diagnosis of Adrenal Cysts

Laparoscopic resection of a large right adrenal gland cyst

“…Pseudocysts are the end result of infarction or hemorrhage in adrenal gland or are due to cystic degeneration in benign or malignant adrenal neoplasms [2]. In the present case the cyst was benign nonepithelial pseudocyst.…”

“…The incidence in several studies ranges from 0.06% to 0.18% [1,7]. They occur in all ages [2; 6]; they are more common in females (female-to-male ratio 2:1) [3] and usually they are asymptomatic, discovered incidentally [2], or at autopsy [4]. Our patient was a young woman with no previous history of accident or health problems, with two normal births.…”

“…In rare instances when intracystic hemorrhage takes place, the patient has symptoms simulating acute abdomen [1,2]. Also in rare instances cysts may be ruptured or infected.…”

“…Adrenal cysts may be parasitic, epithelial, endothelial, or pseudocystic in origin, benign or malignant [2]. Pseudocysts are the end result of infarction or hemorrhage in adrenal gland or are due to cystic degeneration in benign or malignant adrenal neoplasms [2].…”

Difficulties in the diagnosis of an intra-abdominal mass

“…Pre-operative diagnosis of adrenal pseudocysts can be problematic, though a number of imaging modalities are helpful. Plain radiographs may show curvilinear calcification above the renal shadow2; speckled calcification suggests malignancy. Excretion urography may show downward displacement and rotation of the kidney, suggesting an often incidental suprarenal mass 3.…”