Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Asymptomatic adrenal tumours: criteria for endoscopic removal
L A Michel1, L de Cannière, E Hamoir
1Mont-Godinne University Hospital (UCL), Yvoir, Belgium.
Objective:
Assessment of criteria for videoscopic removal of adrenal lesions discovered incidentally.
Design:
Open prospective study.
Subjects:
63 patients operated on for 65 adrenal tumours.
Outcome Measures:
Relevance of proposed criteria: secreting adrenal lesion; diameter larger than 4 cm or increase in size at any re-evaluation; computed tomogram of intratumoral necrosis, haemorrhage, or irregular margins; high concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS).
Results:
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was successful in 61 patients (97%). There were 4 minor complications. Criteria allowed us to identify correctly : phaeochromocytoma (n = 23), primary hyperaldosteronism (n = 18), Cushing's adenoma or disease (n = 7), single metastasis (n = 4), adenoma with DHEAS or cortisol hypersecretion (n = 3). 8 non-secreting incidental tumours (13%) were operated on.
Conclusion:
Simple criteria for videoscopic adrenalectomy for lesions discovered incidentally allowed us to reduce the number of doubtful indications (positive predictive value 87%).
