Non-functioning adrenal adenomas discovered incidentally on computed tomography.

Abstract

Patients (18) with unilateral nonmetastatic, nonfunctioning adrenal masses were studied with computed tomography (CT). Pathological examination in 6 cases revealed benign adrenal adenoma. The others were followed up with serial CT scans and showed no change in tumor size over 6 mo. to 3 yr. On the basis of these findings, certain criteria of a benign adrenal mass are suggested, including diameter < 5 cm, smooth contour, well-defined margin and no change in size on follow-up. Serial CT scanning can be used as an alternative to surgery in the management of many of these patients.