Abstract

Irida Kecaj*, Ergita Nelaj, Kei Xhixhabesi, Ilir Gjermeni and Ina Refatllari

ABSTRACT

An adrenal incidentaloma is an adrenal mass (≥1 cm in diameter) mainly detectedunexpectedly, by an imaging study performed for reasons unrelated to any suspectof adrenal diseases, which may be in one or both adrenal glands. It is estimated thatadrenal masses under 1 cm do not need additional diagnostic examinations, exceptin cases where there are clinical or laboratory suspicions of adrenal hormonaloverproduction, or there are features that raise concern regarding malignancy. Thedifferential diagnosis of adrenal masses consists of distinguishing between abenign, non-functioning adenoma or adrenocortical carcinoma. Adrenalincidentalomas are increasingly recognized in medical practice, making this amedical challenge. Although adrenal incidentaloma is a common endocrinediagnosis, it requires a multidisciplinary expert team for effective management.There is still ambiguity in the current guidelines regarding the management of smallindeterminate incidentalomas, which constitutes a problem in terms of clinicalsolutions in real practice.The majority of patients with adrenal incidentalomas stilldo not undergo the recommended hormonal workup. The aim of this article is toreview of the proposed strategies regarding the investigation and management ofadrenal incidentalomas, collating recommendations from international guidelines.