Abstract Introduction Adrenal tumors can be challenging to diagnose, especially when they present with unusual biochemical profiles and unclear pathological findings. This case focuses on the management complexities of a patient with a heterogeneous adrenal mass, significantly elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels, and Cushing's syndrome. The diagnostic uncertainty highlights the need for careful follow-up and further research into such adrenal tumors. Clinical Case A 63-year-old male with a 10-year history of hypertension presented with sudden severe back pain and dyspnea. He was diagnosed with a Type 3 aortic dissection, treated in the ICU, and later referred to endocrinology for secondary hypertension evaluation, where hypokalemia was noted. Investigations revealed normal 24-hour urinary metanephrines (metanephrine: 142 µg, normetanephrine: 367 µg), and an aldosterone/renin ratio of 8 while on multiple antihypertensive medications. His BMI was 24.6. Endocrine evaluation showed a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test result of 19.6 µg/dL, suppressed basal ACTH and DHEAS, midnight cortisol levels of 21 µg/dL and 27 µg/dL, and an increased 24-hour urinary free cortisol level of 1069 µg. The 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were 26 ng/mL and 18 ng/mL. A CT scan revealed a 47x40 mm heterogeneous lesion in the left adrenal gland. PET-CT and DOTATATE-PET scans showed mild to moderate FDG uptake, suggesting a possible, though unlikely, pheochromocytoma. The patient underwent a left adrenalectomy due to suspected Cushing's syndrome and potential adrenal malignancy. Pathology revealed a 6 cm lesion with no atypia, mitosis, or lymphovascular invasion, but the tumor was deemed neoplastic due to the disrupted excision capsule. Postoperatively, the patient's Cushing's symptoms improved, and follow-up tests showed reduced cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels. He was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and started on prednisolone therapy. Conclusion This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of adrenal tumors with atypical biochemical presentations. The significant postoperative reduction in 17-hydroxyprogesterone and resolution of Cushing's syndrome suggests functional activity of the adrenal mass. However, the indeterminate pathology raises concerns about malignancy and emphasizes the need for close long-term monitoring. The lack of definitive pathological criteria to distinguish benign from malignant adrenal tumors highlights a critical gap in current diagnostic methods, reinforcing the importance of integrating clinical, biochemical, and pathological data for management decisions.
Read full abstract