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Published on: September 15, 2017
Clinical Characteristics of Adrenal Hemangioma
Yuzhi Zuo1, Zhen Liang1, Shengmin Yang1
1Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
Insights
Adrenal hemangiomas (AH) are rare, benign tumors often found incidentally. This study highlights their common misdiagnosis and distinct imaging features, emphasizing the need for better recognition and surgical management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Adrenal hemangioma (AH) is a rare, benign adrenal neoplasm.
- Often detected incidentally via imaging studies.
- Limited understanding of its clinical and diagnostic characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics of adrenal hemangioma.
- To analyze diagnostic imaging features for improved recognition.
- To enhance understanding of this rare adrenal tumor.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 2008-2022.
- Inclusion of patients diagnosed with adrenal hemangioma.
- Collection and analysis of clinical, hormonal, imaging, and pathological data.
Main Results:
- Adrenal hemangioma constituted 0.56% of adrenal tumors (40 cases).
- Mean age at diagnosis was 53.9 years, with female predominance.
- Most cases were asymptomatic; misdiagnosis as pheochromocytoma was common. Enhanced CT revealed size-dependent features. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was the preferred surgical approach.
Conclusions:
- Adrenal hemangioma diagnosis is often challenging due to incidental presentation and preoperative misdiagnosis.
- Distinct imaging characteristics, particularly on enhanced CT, aid in diagnosis.
- Appropriate surgical management, often laparoscopic adrenalectomy, is key for optimal outcomes.
Objective:
Adrenal hemangioma (AH) is a rare, benign adrenal tumor often detected incidentally by imaging. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of AH, including clinical and diagnostic imaging features, to improve the recognition and understanding of AH.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients diagnosed with AH at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2008 and 2022. Clinical manifestations, adrenal hormone levels, imaging findings, treatment approaches, and pathological results were collected and analyzed.
Results:
Of the 7140 adrenal tumor patients, 40 (0.56%) had AH confirmed postoperatively. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.9 years, with a female predominance. Most (70%) were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Misdiagnosis before surgery was common, most frequently as pheochromocytoma. Imaging characteristics, especially enhanced computed tomography, revealed distinct features based on tumor size. Surgery was the main treatment, with laparoscopic adrenalectomy preferred.
Conclusion:
This study elucidates the clinical characteristics of AH, including demographics, diagnostic challenges, and imaging features. AH often presents incidentally and is frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively. Recognizing distinct imaging characteristics and appropriate surgical management can enable accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment.
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