Percutaneous ablation of functioning adrenal adenoma: a report on 11 cases and a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous ablation of functioning adrenal adenomas has been an alternative to videolaparoscopic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of functioning adrenal tumors using a computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous technique as demonstrated by our experience and the literature. METHODS: Eleven adult patients (mean age 46 years) with a diagnosis of functioning adrenal adenoma underwent CT-guided RFA between October 2011 and August 2012. All RFA procedures were performed using a needle electrode with a single lateral filament and the RITA(®) 1500X radiofrequency generator. The RFA protocol consisted of two cycles of 5 min each with 1-min interval, with no additional ablation cycles. Contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained and analyzed for immediate treatment success and possible complications. RESULTS: Maximum tumor dimension ranged from 1.2 to 3.4 cm. The mean procedure time was 74 min, and length of hospital stay ranged from 0.9 to 3.2 days (mean 1.8 days). One patient had residual pneumothorax and one patient had neuritis involving the T10 dermatome. Of 11 patients, 10 recovered from their condition. Only one patient remained with hyperaldosteronism, but with reduced anti-hypertensive medication. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided percutaneous RFA was a safe and effective treatment for functioning adrenal adenomas, with short hospital length of stay and low complication rate.

Percutaneous ablation of functioning adenoma in a patient with a single adrenal gland.

The conventional treatment of functioning adrenal adenomas is laparoscopic resection. Since the 1990s, radiofrequency ablation has been increasingly applied to the treatment of tumours of the liver, lungs and musculoskeletal system. However, the use of radiofrequency ablation to treat adrenal nodules is still an uncommon procedure, particularly in aldosterone-producing adenomas. We report the case of a 35-year-old male patient with resistant hypertension, hypokalaemia and aldosterone-producing adenoma in a single adrenal gland. The patient underwent CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Clinical, laboratory and MRI follow-up data indicated excellent response to treatment. This case report is the first in the literature to describe the use of CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of a functioning adrenal adenoma in a patient with a single adrenal gland.