Adenomatoid tumor of the right adrenal gland masked as pheochromocytoma: clinical case

Abstract

According to summary autopsy data, the incidence of accidentally detected neoplasms of the adrenal glands is 6 %. Computed tomography performed for other reasons shows adrenal gland lesions in 4 % of cases. In diagnostic strategy for adrenal gland lesions, the most important factors to consider are hormonal activity and malignant potential. Moreover, absence of clinical manifestations for long periods of time and their mildness frequently lead to underestimation of the seriousness of the situation. Therefore, surgical treatment can be accompanied by multiple negative consequences. Literature describes cases accompanied by hypertensive crises which subsequently turned out to be hormonally inactive adenomas or adrenocortical carcinoma. The article describes a patient in whom hormonal activity masked an extremely rare benign tumor.