Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges

Incidentally discovered adrenal masses (incidentalomas) are common and present challenges both in diagnosis and management. When incidentally discovered adrenal masses are bilateral, a refined diagnostic approach is warranted since bilateral disease is more likely to be pathologic. We review a case...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anders L. Carlson, Annis M. Marney, Scott R. Anderson, Matthew P. Gilbert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/953052
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849764005254529024
author Anders L. Carlson
Annis M. Marney
Scott R. Anderson
Matthew P. Gilbert
author_facet Anders L. Carlson
Annis M. Marney
Scott R. Anderson
Matthew P. Gilbert
author_sort Anders L. Carlson
collection DOAJ
description Incidentally discovered adrenal masses (incidentalomas) are common and present challenges both in diagnosis and management. When incidentally discovered adrenal masses are bilateral, a refined diagnostic approach is warranted since bilateral disease is more likely to be pathologic. We review a case of a 34-year-old man with incidentally discovered bilateral adrenal nodules. A comprehensive diagnostic strategy led to the diagnosis of bilateral pheochromocytoma caused by von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. He was successfully treated with bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy and has recovered well. While the initial diagnostic approach is similar to the unilateral incidentaloma, additional testing and/or genetic testing should be considered in the case of the bilateral adrenal mass.
format Article
id doaj-art-c7d700c0ea8d4be8a24d1351b7df7b63
institution DOAJ
issn 2090-6501
2090-651X
language English
publishDate 2013-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Case Reports in Endocrinology
spelling doaj-art-c7d700c0ea8d4be8a24d1351b7df7b632025-08-20T03:05:15ZengWileyCase Reports in Endocrinology2090-65012090-651X2013-01-01201310.1155/2013/953052953052Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic ChallengesAnders L. Carlson0Annis M. Marney1Scott R. Anderson2Matthew P. Gilbert3Division of Endocrinology, Regions Hospital, University of Minnesota Medical School, 401 Phalen Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55130, USADivision of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05401, USADepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Science, The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05401, USADivision of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05401, USAIncidentally discovered adrenal masses (incidentalomas) are common and present challenges both in diagnosis and management. When incidentally discovered adrenal masses are bilateral, a refined diagnostic approach is warranted since bilateral disease is more likely to be pathologic. We review a case of a 34-year-old man with incidentally discovered bilateral adrenal nodules. A comprehensive diagnostic strategy led to the diagnosis of bilateral pheochromocytoma caused by von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. He was successfully treated with bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy and has recovered well. While the initial diagnostic approach is similar to the unilateral incidentaloma, additional testing and/or genetic testing should be considered in the case of the bilateral adrenal mass.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/953052
spellingShingle Anders L. Carlson
Annis M. Marney
Scott R. Anderson
Matthew P. Gilbert
Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
Case Reports in Endocrinology
title Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
title_full Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
title_fullStr Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
title_full_unstemmed Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
title_short Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
title_sort bilateral adrenal incidentalomas a case report and review of diagnostic challenges
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/953052
work_keys_str_mv AT anderslcarlson bilateraladrenalincidentalomasacasereportandreviewofdiagnosticchallenges
AT annismmarney bilateraladrenalincidentalomasacasereportandreviewofdiagnosticchallenges
AT scottranderson bilateraladrenalincidentalomasacasereportandreviewofdiagnosticchallenges
AT matthewpgilbert bilateraladrenalincidentalomasacasereportandreviewofdiagnosticchallenges