Clinical and radiological features of adrenal cysts

Adrenal cysts are very rare lesions, usually asymptomatic or without characteristic symptoms. They are classified as pseudocysts, endothelial cysts, epithelial cysts or parasitic cysts. Although pseudocysts are reported to be the most common clinically recognized adrenal cysts in surgical series, endothelial cysts are more common in autopsy series. We studied 15 consecutive patients with adrenal cysts who underwent surgical resection at our institution from 1990 to 2005. Of 15 patients with adrenal cysts, 10 had pseudocysts, 3 epithelial cysts, 1 an endothelial cyst and 1 a parasitic cyst. In conclusion, a better understanding of cystic adrenal masses is necessary to recognize true adrenal cysts and differentiating them from adrenal carcinoma or adenoma by demonstrating the foci of cystic or degenerative changes.     

14例肾上腺囊肿的诊断和治疗

目的：总结肾上腺囊肿的诊断和治疗经验。方法：回顾性分析14例肾上腺囊肿的临床资料，复习文献并讨论肾上腺囊肿的诊断和治疗。结果：术前B超、CT、MRI诊断正确率分别为42．8％(6／14)，54．5％(6／11)和l00％(5／5)；联合应用B超、CT或MRI，术前诊断正确率为78．5％(11／14)；14例均行手术治疗，病理诊断假性囊肿5例，上皮性囊肿2例，内皮性囊肿4例，非特异性囊肿3例。结论：合理有序地联合应用B超、CT和MRI能提高肾上腺囊肿的诊断正确率，治疗方法取决于囊肿大小、是否有并发症，腹腔镜肾上腺囊肿切除术是外科首选的治疗方法。     

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst: a case report and review of the literature

This unusual clinical case adds itself to the limited list of existing reports of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts in the international literature. It emphasizes the difficulties encountered in making a preoperative diagnosis, since these lesions can be described as both solid and cystic masses. A 69-year-old man underwent surgery to remove an expanding mass diagnosed as originating in the adrenal gland and discovered during clinical investigation for other indications. The lesion was excised only after adrenalectomy whereupon its cystic nature was revealed. Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal expanding lesions, especially in the presence of cystic tumours of the left adrenal region. This is the first case of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst reported in an adult in Italy.     

How useful are clinical, biochemical, and cross-sectional imaging features in predicting potentially malignant or malignant cystic lesions of the pancreas? Results from a single institution experience with 220 surgically treated patients

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the use of preoperative clinical, biochemical, and cross-sectional imaging features for predicting malignancy in cystic lesions of the pancreas (CLP). STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred twenty patients who underwent operations for CLP or suspected CLP were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups, patients undergoing operations for pseudocysts and patients undergoing operations for suspected cystic neoplasms. The predictive effect of various preoperative factors on the malignant potential of CLP was evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with a preoperative diagnosis of pseudocysts underwent operations for complications of pseudocyst. Forty-two were confirmed pathologically to have pseudocysts, but two were found, unexpectedly, to harbor malignant lesions. One hundred seventy-six patients underwent operations for suspected pancreatic cystic neoplasms. There were 70 benign, 51 potentially malignant, and 55 malignant CLP. On multivariate analysis, three factors, ie, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or carbohydrate antigen 19-9; cyst size > 3 cm; and presence of one or more of three morphologic features, such as solid component; peripheral calcification; and main duct dilation on cross-sectional imaging were independent predictors of malignancy. Presence of two or three of these factors had a positive predictive value of 88% in predicting a premalignant or malignant CLP. CONCLUSIONS: Most pancreatic pseudocysts can be accurately diagnosed preoperatively. In patients with suspected pancreatic cystic neoplasms, elevated serum CEA or carbohydrate antigen 19-9, cyst size > 3 cm, and presence of suspicious morphologic features on imaging are predictors of potentially malignant or malignant CLP. Patients with a high likelihood of a potentially malignant or malignant lesion based on these three factors should undergo operation without additional investigations.     

Large intrahepatic cysts and pseudocysts. Pitfalls in diagnosis and treatment

The records of forty-seven patients with large intrahepatic cysts or pseudocysts were analyzed. Thirty-one of the cysts were developmental and sixteen were acquired. Patients with developmental cysts and those with neoplastic cysts had similar features, including an absence of constitutional illness, but patients with infective pseudocysts generally had features of systemic disease and often had hematologic abnormalities.Sonography indicated the cystic nature of the lesions, but operation was usually necessary to establish a precise diagnosis. Four of the solitary giant cysts were successfully treated by subtotal excision—a less extensive procedure than hepatic resection or total excision of the cyst. Recurrences were common after lesser procedures. The nature of two malignant cysts was not recognized at operation, and cysts with macroscopic features of neoplasia should be treated by hepatic resection even when frozen section biopsy fails to support such a diagnosis. Pyogenic pseudocysts were treated adequately by drainage, but echinococcal cysts required injection with hypertonic saline or Formalin and partial or complete excision for cure. Traumatic pseudocysts healed only when bleeding or bile leakage into the cyst cavity was controlled.     

肾上腺囊肿的诊断与治疗(附15例报告)

目的:探讨肾上腺囊肿的诊断与治疗方法。方法:回顾性分析15例肾上腺囊肿的临床资料。结果:B超检查12例,9例显示肾上腺区为无回声液性囊性暗区, 3 例提示为低回声包块。14 例行CT检查为低密度肿块,其中7例提示囊壁有钙化影。MRI检查1例为包膜完整的占位病变。15 例均行手术治疗,其中行囊肿及同侧肾上腺切除6例,囊肿及肾上腺部分切除术7例,单纯囊肿切除术2例。9例行开放手术,6例经后腹腔镜手术。假性囊肿7例,内皮性5例,上皮性1例,2例未标明囊肿类型。结论:肾上腺囊肿临床上无特征性症状与体征,内分泌功能检查多数正常。B超与CT在诊断中占有重要的地位。注意与肝、胰、肾及脾囊肿,以及肾上腺肿瘤相鉴别。除直径<3 cm、内分泌功能正常、无症状、CT提示单纯性肾上腺囊肿外,均应采取积极手术治疗。建议囊肿切除加同侧肾上腺切除。后腹腔镜手术相对开放手术更有优越性。     

Cysts of the adrenal gland

3 cases of adrenal cysts are reported. The incidence of cyst originating in the adrenal gland was found to be 0.02-0.06% in autopsies. Adrenal cysts are usually symptomless making the diagnosis difficult. The cases described here were diagnosed and removed at operation. One of them was associated with hypertension, and another with pregnancy, considered to be exceptional. Two of these cysts were calcified. All of them were benign. The definite preoperative diagnosis is difficult and the surgical procedure recommended is resection of the cyst with preservation of as much adrenal tissue as possible if malignancy is excluded by frozen section. Since the number of operated cases diagnosed preoperatively are too small, the possibility of treating adrenal cyst by percutaneous aspiration and injection of opaque material to eventually avoid surgery could not be established.     

Clinical Management of Large Adrenal Cystic Lesions

The widespread use of ultrasonography and computed tomography has resulted in an increased diagnosis of large sized adrenal cysts with diameters of more than 5 cm. Most of these adrenal cystic lesions are clinically silent and are therefore often diagnosed incidentally. Since up to 7% of adrenal cysts are malignant, a careful hormonal, morpho-functional and instrumental evaluation is mandatory. In particular, functioning adrenal carcinomas or pheochromocytomas have to be ruled out. Fine needle aspiration cytology as well as examination of a punch biopsy specimen of the cystic wall are of limited value, as there is considerable overlap in cytologic and histologic features of benign and malignant adrenal cystic lesions. Immediate surgical excision is indicated in the presence of symptoms, suspicion of malignancy, increase in the size or detection of a functioning adrenal cyst. En bloc adrenalectomy, preferably by a laparoscopic approach, has become the treatment of choice.     

肾上腺囊肿的诊断和外科治疗(附22例报告)

目的：探讨肾上腺囊肿的诊断与外科治疗方法。方法：回顾性分析22例肾上腺囊肿的诊断与治疗资料。结果：22例中，上皮性囊肿1例，内皮性肿囊8例，假性囊肿13例，均行囊肿切除术。结论：B超与CT是诊断肾上腺囊肿最可靠的定位诊断方法；强调在CT检查中有增强效应的囊肿要作内分泌功能检测，对直径＞3cm或有内分泌功能的肾上腺囊肿应进行外科治疗。     

Seudoquiste adrenal grande que simula feocromocitoma quístico: exéresis minimizando el acceso laparoscópico

IntroductionAdrenal cysts and pseudocysts are rare and usually benign and asymptomatic; they are discovered either accidentally or during examination for non-specific abdominal discomfort. Less frequently, they may cause gastrointestinal symptoms or abdominal or lumbar pain, particularly when they are quite large. Histologically, they are classified as epithelial, endothelial, parasitic and pseudocysts (with a fibrous wall but no epithelium). The differential diagnosis for adrenal cysts must consider cystic adrenal carcinoma and cystic pheochromocytoma, which are both extremely rare, but more severe and difficult to treat.Patients and resultsA 55 year-old woman reported right-side flank pain; imaging studies discovered a 10cm cystic adrenal tumour, with radiological indications of cystic pheochromocytoma. Total transperitoneal laparoscopic excision was performed through three access ports. The cyst was drained by intra-abdominal bagging and aspiration before excision, in order to minimise surgical incisions. Pathological study showed benign pseudocyst.ConclusionsAs less invasive laparoscopic procedures become widespread, an increasing number of case reports and series of cases regarding adrenal cyst operations have recently been reported. A review of the literature shows that the cysts are generally benign, but it is not always possible to identify cystic adrenal carcinoma or cystic pheochromocytoma from the radiology image. Draining the cyst using an aseptic and oncologically safe procedure is useful for minimising surgical wounds and increases the benefits of laparoscopic access.     

Hydatid Cysts of the Adrenal Gland: Review of Nine Patients

Adrenal cysts are very rare lesions, especially with parasitic origin. But with the wider application of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) more adrenal cysts are detected incidentally. To gain more insight into this entity, the records of nine patients with hydatid cysts of adrenal gland seen at our department from January 1980 till January 2002 are reviewed. There were four men and five women, and their ages ranged from 15 to 80 years (median: 41 years). All of the patients had unilateral cysts. Seven cysts were located on the right and two on the left side. Five of the cysts were primary and four were secondary. In three patients the cysts were found incidentally. The most common presenting symptom was pain, which was present in six patients. An indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test was positive in six cases. In all patients, US and CT successfully imaged all cysts, but the definitive diagnosis was made by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the cysts content. The patients were treated surgically. In all patients adrenal glands with the cystic masses were removed. The median follow-up period was 16 months (range: 6–64 months). No evidence of recurrence was found in any patient. It should not be forgotten that cystic masses of the upper abdomen might also originate from the adrenal gland. The etiology and nature of the cyst should be well researched, and appropriate treatment should be given as soon as possible. Surgical excision of the gland, including the cyst is the treatment of choice.     

Non-neoplastic mediastinal cysts.

OBJECTIVE: The non-neoplastic mediastinal cysts (NNMCs) form a group of uncommon benign lesions of a congenital origin. The significant controversy regarding these cysts is whether to manage with observation or surgical resection. The aim of this study is to analyse the utility of thoracic computed axial tomography (CT) in imaging diagnosis of the NNMCs and the results of surgery in these lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty NNMCs underwent surgery between 1980 and 2000. The preoperative study of mediastinal cystic masses includes a complete blood test, chest radiography (CR) and, for the last 15 years, a thoracic CT and/or nuclear magnetic resonance. All the patients underwent surgery in our thoracic surgery department and were reviewed in outpatients at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and biannually thereafter. The form of manifestation, clinical features, imaging techniques, surgical operation, morbidity, mortality and follow-up are analysed. RESULTS: Ten corresponded to bronchogenic cysts, the most common symptom of which was chest pain. CR showed a mass in the anterior-superior mediastinum in nine cases, and CT (five cases) revealed a cystic tumour in the anterior mediastinum. All were removed surgically, with three patients presenting with mild complications. Seven corresponded to pleuro-pericardial cysts, four being asymptomatic. CR showed a right paracardial mediastinal tumour, which was confirmed by CT (four cases). All were removed surgically, with two patients presenting with mild complications. Three corresponded to enteric cysts. CR showed a tumour in the posterior mediastinum, with CT confirming its cystic nature (two cases). Excision of the cyst was done in all cases, which corresponded to duplication cysts: two oesophageal and one gastric. All the patients are asymptomatic and recurrence-free after a follow-up of 11 +/- 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: NNMCs are benign lesions in which the lesions in which the surgery can be done with a low morbidity and mortality rate, enables us to rule out malignancy and offers a definitive cure. Actually the thoracic CT permit a correct diagnosis pre-surgery in function of the radiologic characterisation and topography.     

Retroperitoneal alimentary tract duplications detected in utero.

The prenatal diagnosis of numerous congenital anomalies has become routine. The prenatal diagnosis of cystic lesions of the retroperitoneum can be due to a variety of renal, gastrointestinal, or adrenal lesions. This finding demands aggressive postnatal follow-up to rule out the possibility of cystic adrenal neuroblastoma. We report the first cases of retroperitoneal cystic masses diagnosed in utero that ultimately proved to be enteric duplications. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of cystic masses of the retroperitoneum found prenatally should be expanded to include enteric duplication cysts.     

肝囊性淋巴管瘤2例报告并国内文献回顾

目的:探讨肝囊性淋巴管瘤的临床特点和诊治方法,以提高诊断率及治疗效果。方法:回顾性分析广东医科大学附属医院收治的2例成人肝囊性淋巴管瘤患者临床资料及诊疗过程,并检索、复习中文期刊数据库中肝囊性淋巴管瘤的文献。结果:笔者收治的2例患者,均为女性,入院诊断分别为肝囊性占位和肝囊肿;患者完善相关检查后行肝切除术,术后病理诊断肝囊性淋巴管瘤;患者术后随访均无复发,治疗满意。检索1984—2017年期间国内共报道6例患者,其中男4例,女2例;入院诊断肝囊淋巴管瘤2例(2/6);其他均误诊(4/6),6例患者均行手术切除后明确诊断,术后患者恢复满意。结论:肝囊性淋巴管瘤为临床罕见的肝脏良性疾病。临床症状、体征及影像学表现无特异性,临床易误诊为肝囊肿及其他囊性疾病;MRl有助于鉴别诊断;有明确症状、体征或不能排除恶性的患者应结合个体情况制定治疗方案,病理检查是明确诊断的唯一方法。     

Surgical indications in antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts.

The antenatal diagnosis of ovarian cysts poses a therapeutic dilemma because the natural history of these lesions is not well known. A retrospective review from 1980 to 1989 showed 29 ovarian cysts in 27 patients diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography performed between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Nineteen cysts were initially observed. Eleven cysts resolved (diameter less than 2 cm), three are decreasing, three were lost to follow-up, and two underwent resection. Eight patients underwent surgical exploration immediately following birth. The diagnosis of benign ovarian cyst was confirmed histologically in all cases. A review of the literature showed an additional 230 cases of antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts. Simple cysts of the ovary tend to resolve spontaneously and, therefore, may be treated conservatively. Serial ultrasonography allows accurate diagnosis and long-term assessment of ovarian cysts in the neonate and may prevent unnecessary oophorectomy. Patients with cysts larger than 4 cm may be candidates for percutaneous aspiration, or should undergo removal of the cyst because of a significant risk of torsion. Complex cystic masses, symptomatic ovarian cysts, and cysts that do not resolve should be removed.     

Cyst fluid analysis in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. A comparison of pseudocysts,serous cystadenomas,mucinous cystic neoplasms,and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic cystic lesions include inflammatory pseudocysts, benign serous tumors, and mucinous neoplasms, some of which are malignant. Clinical and radiologic indices are often inadequate to discriminate reliably among these possibilities. In an attempt to develop new preoperative diagnostic criteria to assist in decisions regarding therapy, the authors have performed cyst fluid analysis for tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen: CEA, CA 125, and CA 19.9), amylase content, amylase isoenzymes, relative viscosity, and cytology on 26 pancreatic cysts. The cases included nine pseudocysts, five serous cystadenomas, 4 mucinous cystic neoplasms, 7 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, and one mucinous ductal adenocarcinoma with cystic degeneration. Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were high (> 367) in all benign and malignant mucinous cysts, but were low (< 23) in the pseudocysts and benign serous cystadenomas, an indication that CEA discriminates between mucinous and nonmucinous cysts (p < 0.0001). Values for CA 125 were high in all malignant cysts, low in pseudocysts, and variable in mucinous cystic neoplasms and serous cystadenomas. Levels of Ca 19.9 were nondiscriminatory. Cyst fluid amylase and lipase content were variable but were generally high in pseudocysts and low in cystic tumors. Amylase isoenzyme analysis was useful to differentiate pseudocysts from cystic tumors. Measurement of the relative viscosity in cyst fluid showed high (> serum viscosity) values in 89% of mucinous tumors and low values (< serum) in all pseudocysts and serous cystadenomas (p < 0.01). Cytologic analysis of cyst fluids was of limited value in differentiating pseudocysts from serous cystadenoma, but in seven of eight mucinous tumors provided useful diagnostic information and correctly classified three of five malignant tumors. The authors conclude that cyst fluid analysis can provide a preoperative classification of these diagnostically difficult lesions. The combination of viscosity, CEA, CA 125, and cytology can reliably distinguish malignant cystic tumors and potentially premalignant mucinous cystic neoplasms from pseudocysts and serous cystadenomas. Amylase content with isoenzyme analysis is useful to identify pseudocysts.     

A giant adrenal cyst difficult to diagnose except by surgery

Introduction

Adrenal cysts represent rare clinical entities. Although surgical indications are well defined, pitfalls arise from the failure to establish an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Cystic lesions of other abdominal organs especially the pancreas complicate the diagnostic field.

Presentation of case

We present the case of a giant adrenal cyst in a young female causing diagnostic dilemma. Imaging studies revealed a large cystic lesion of uncertain origin located between the spleen and the tail of the pancreas. It was decided to perform a laparotomy which confirmed the presence of an adrenal cyst and enucleation of the cyst was performed. Examination at one year confirmed no complications.

Discussion

Adrenal cysts should always be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic abdominal lesions.

Conclusion

When the preoperative diagnosis is uncertain, surgical intervention can be both diagnostic and therapeutic.     

Giant hepatic echinococcus cyst with cysto-pleural fistula and pleural echinococcosis

Extrahepatic complications from hepatic cystic echinococcosis are rare and may be life threatening. Although the prevalence of echinococcosis in Spain had decreased, the number of cases of this disease and its severity has risen again due to immigration. We report the case of a patient with a giant hepatic echinococcus cyst diagnosed during investigation of an abdominal mass. The mass was associated with three other cysts: the first cyst was fistulized to the biliary tract, without clinical or laboratory alterations, the second cyst was fistulized to the right pleural cavity, leading to pleural echinococcosis and respiratory distress due to massive pleural effusion, and the third cyst was calcified. The challenge in this case layed in its diagnosis and treatment. The clinical presentation was unusual due to the extension of the disease, hampering complete cystic excision.     

Giant adrenal cyst in a young female patient: A case report

Adrenal cysts are rare cystic masses that arise from the adrenal gland. They are usually non-functional, asymptomatic and less than 10 cm in diameter when discovered incidentally. However, giant adrenal cysts are cysts of the adrenal gland which are larger than 10 cm in diameter. They pose a diagnostic conundrum to the surgeon as localization of the origin of the cyst is very difficult. Indications for surgical intervention include a size exceeding 10 cm in diameter, the presence of symptoms, endocrine abnormalities, intracystic bleeding and suspicion of malignancy. The current treatment of choice is adrenalectomy, either open or laparoscopic. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage is an alternative, especially when there is no doubt regarding the diagnosis. Following, we report on one of the rare cases of a giant adrenal cyst.     

Non-neoplastic Epithelial Cysts of the Pancreas: A Rare,Benign Entity

Objectives

With the increased use of cross-sectional radiologic imaging in recent years, cystic lesions of the pancreas are being diagnosed with greater frequency. While pseuodocysts have historically accounted for the majority of benign pancreatic cysts, there are a number of rare, benign cystic lesions of the pancreas that can mimic neoplastic cysts. The objective of this study was to review a single institution’s experience with these benign cystic lesions of the pancreas.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgical resection for pancreatic disease from 2005 to 2012 at our institution. Out of a total of 947 pancreatic resections, we identified those cases performed for cystic disease, and focused upon the clinicopathologic data of patients with non-neoplastic pancreatic cysts.

Results

Of the 947 pancreatic resections, 256 (27 %) were performed for cystic disease. Sixteen cases (6.3 %) out of the total of 256 pancreatic operations performed for cystic disease were found to have non-neoplastic cystic lesions of the pancreas. Preoperative imaging revealed primary lesions in all patients, eight of which were found incidentally. Of these lesions, 14 were suspected preoperatively to be mucinous neoplasms and two to harbor pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, postoperative pathology revealed eight patients with ductal retention cysts, three squamoid cysts, one mucinous non-neoplastic cyst, one congenital ciliated foregut cyst, one lymphoepithelial cyst, and two endometrial cysts. Two patients had complications postoperatively, one pancreatic fistula and one SMV thrombosis. Both complications resolved with conservative management.

Conclusions

Non-neoplastic epithelial pancreatic cysts are rare, benign lesions. In our institutional experience, these lesions are often indistinguishable from cystic neoplasms of the pancreas preoperatively. As such, many of these lesions are resected unknowingly. It is important for the clinician to be well informed of the nature of these lesions, in the hopes to avoid unnecessary resection whenever possible.