Adrenal Ganglioneuroma With Radiology-Pathology Correlation

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Adrenal masses are frequently discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions.
• Distinguishing benign adrenal tumors from malignant neoplasms preoperatively can be challenging based solely on imaging characteristics.

Observation:

• A 62-year-old male presented with an incidentally found 9 cm adrenal mass.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a lobulated mass with heterogeneous enhancement, showing nonspecific features.
• Malignancy could not be excluded based on the initial radiological assessment.

Findings:

• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, and the mass was diagnosed as a ganglioneuroma.
• Histopathological examination confirmed a well-demarcated tumor composed of Schwann cells and ganglion cells.
• Postoperative follow-up revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence.

Implications:

• This case emphasizes the indispensable role of histopathological evaluation for the accurate diagnosis of adrenal masses.
• Nonspecific radiological features of adrenal ganglioneuroma necessitate tissue analysis to exclude malignancy.
• Accurate diagnosis ensures appropriate patient management and follow-up, preventing unnecessary aggressive treatment for benign conditions.