Two Cases of Adrenal Cysts Lined by Thyroid Follicular Epithelium: Addressing Cellular Origin and Malignancy Concerns

Abstract

Adrenal cysts lined by thyroid follicular epithelium are rare, with only 14 reported cases of “ectopic thyroid tissue” to date. While the primary consideration for differential diagnosis is thyroid carcinoma metastasis, exclusion of metastases is determined based on the absence of a primary thyroid lesion, serological euthyroidism, lack of thyroglobulin elevation, and absence of epithelial atypia. Herein, we report 2 cases of adrenal cysts lined by thyroid follicular epithelium. Case 1 was a 60-year-old woman with a right adrenal cyst. Case 2 was a 51-year-old man with a left adrenal cyst. Over time, both cysts became larger, necessitating an adrenalectomy. Cystic epithelia were lined with thyroid follicular epithelium, exhibiting moderate atypia. Human bone marrow endothelial cell marker-1 and galectin-3 were focally positive; CK19 was positive in Case 1, and all 3 markers were positive in Case 2, previously reported as an immunophenotype of thyroid carcinoma. CD56 expression was positive in both cases. Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed several low-frequency mutations; however, no major driver alterations for thyroid cancer were detected. Adrenal cysts can be lined by thyroid follicular epithelium. Challenges arise in determining the malignant or benign nature of adrenal cysts.