Adrenal incidentalomas and subclinical Cushing syndrome: indications to surgery and results in a series of 26 laparoscopic adrenalectomies

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Casual detection of an adrenal mass, the so called incidentaloma (AI) requires an in-depth analysis of imaging phenotype together with hormonal investigation, in order to evaluate both its potential malignancy and the occurrence of a preclinical condition of hypercortisolism (Subclinical Cushing Syndrome, SCS). Aim of the present work is to evaluate surgical indications and results of surgery in patients harbouring an AI with inapparent hypercortisolism.

METHODS: The study has been carried on in a series of 26 Laparoscopic Adrenalectomies (LA) performed from January 2009 and January 2015. Indications to surgery included AI (11 cases), Cushing’s syndrome (7 cases), suspected metastases (5 cases) and Conn’s disease (3 cases). Six patients with AI had a SCS associated with variable forms of a metabolic syndrome: they were evaluated in detail analysing cortisol secretion and values of Arterial Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and BMI before and after surgery.

RESULTS: As far as SCS is concerned, LA was completed in 5 patients (one case converted). Pathology revealed 5 adenomas and one nodular hyperplasia. Four cases required oral cortisone administration at the discharge. At a mean follow-up of 33 months cortisol secretion returned to normal range in all patients; an improvement of metabolic condition was observed in 60, 25, and 50 per cent of hypertensive, diabetic and obese patients respectively.

CONCLUSION: Indications to LA in case of AI and SCS is strongly supported by the presence of an associated metabolic syndrome. In spite of a limited number, our experience confirms the favourable results of surgery in such patients.