TY - JOUR
TI - The prevalence and relevance of adrenal masses in patients with sporadic
gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET)
AU - Kanakis, George
AU - Kamp, Kimberly
AU - Tsiveriotis, Konstantinos and
AU - Feelders, Richard A.
AU - Zormpala, Alexandra
AU - de Herder, Wouter W.
AU - and Kaltsas, Gregory
JO - Clinical Endocrinology
PY - 2013
VL - 78
TODO - 6
SP - 950-956
PB - Wiley-Blackwell
SN - 0300-0664, 1365-2265
TODO - 10.1111/cen.12046
TODO - null
TODO - Objective The widespread application of abdominal computerized
tomography (CT) imaging has revealed that 0 center dot 984 center dot
0% of individuals harbour adrenal lesions (incidentalomas). There is,
however, paucity of information regarding the prevalence of adrenal
lesions in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
(GEP-NETS). Purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of
adrenal lesions in patients with GEP-NETS and identify their
radiological features and clinical significance. Design The prevalence
of adrenal lesions was estimated retrospectively in 438 patients with
GEP-NETS who underwent abdominal imaging. Secretory status and changes
in size were documented during subsequent follow-up. MEN-1 patients and
ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours were excluded. Results Adrenal lesions
were detected in 32 (8 center dot 4%) of 383 patients included. The
majority (22 patients 69%) were located at the left adrenal gland and
the mean size was 23 center dot 6mm. In two patients, one with a well
and another with a poorly differentiated tumour, clinicopathological
features suggested adrenal metastases. During a mean follow-up period of
69 center dot 5months, no subsequent growth of any adrenal lesion was
observed. Endocrine evaluation documented subclinical glucocorticoid
hypersecretion in 4 cases (14%). The presence of adrenal lesions did
not correlate to distant metastases, however, they were observed more
frequently in patients with G3 tumours. Conclusion The prevalence of
adrenal lesions in patients with GEP-NETs was found to be higher than
the general population and mostly represent benign adrenal adenomas
(except patients with G3 tumours). Nevertheless, individualized
assessment of imaging characteristics should be still considered.
ER -