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Ectopic adrenal tissue in the spermatic cord in pediatric patients: surgical implications
Roberto Mendez1, Manuel G Tellado, Ivan Somoza
1Pediatric Urology, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Teresa Herrera, Complexo Hospitalario Juan Canalejo, A Coruna, Spain. roberto.mendez.gallart@sergas.es
Objective:
To study the incidence and relevance of ectopic adrenal tissue in pediatric patients who underwent groin surgical explorations.
Materials And Methods:
We studied 1120 patients with groin surgical explorations during a period of 8 consecutive years. Patients' clinical data and histological findings were analyzed.
Results:
We found ectopic adrenal tissue in 13 patients in 1120 groin surgical exploration (1.16%). Of the 13 cases, 5 were diagnosed as having undescended testes, 6 inguinal hernia and 2 communicating hydrocele. Median age at diagnosis was 5.6 years. Histological sections showed adrenal cortical tissue with no medulla present.
Conclusion:
Based on the clinical implications of those adrenal rests it is mandatory the removal of this ectopic tissue whenever encountered during surgical interventions in the groin region in children.
