Pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors originating in the adrenal medulla. They may be sporadic or in the context of a hereditary syndrome. A considerable number of pheochromocytomas carry germline or somatic gene mutations, which are inherited in the autosomal dominant way. All patients should undergo genetic testing. Symptoms are due to catecholamines over production or to a mass effect. Diagnosis is confirmed by raised plasma or urine metanephrines or normetanephrines. Radiology assists in the tumor location and any local invasion or metastasis. All the patients should have preoperative preparation with α-blockers and/or other medications to control hypertension, arrhythmia, and volume expansion. Surgery is the definitive treatment. Follow up should be life-long.

Small bowel perforation with multiple intestinal metastases from lung carcinoma: A case report.

The present report describes the case of an 81-year-old woman who underwent an emergency explorative laparotomy due to small bowel perforation. Diffuse feculent peritonitis due to perforation of the jejunum was identified. In addition, six distinct tumors of the jejunum in close proximity to the perforation site, as well as two more lesions caudally at the ileum, were identified. A separate stenotic tumor was identified at the sigmoid colon, causing moderate dilatation of the whole intestine. An enterectomy, including the perforation site and the proximal six tumors, was performed, followed by limited enterectomies for the distal two tumors and side-to-side anastomoses of the small intestine. All resected tumors were identified at histology as metastatic from lung carcinoma. Postoperatively, the patient remained in a severe septic condition and succumbed the following day. Metastatic lesions from lung carcinoma in the small bowel wall are a rare finding predisposing to bowel perforation. When an acute condition coexists with multiple intestinal metastases, the mortality rate is high despite prompt surgical intervention.

A short review of primary aldosteronism in a question and answer fashion.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to present up to date information concerning the diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism (PA). PA is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension. It has been reported up to 24% of selective referred hypertensive patients. METHODS: We did a search in Pub-Med and Google Scholar using the terms: PA, hyperaldosteronism, idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia, diagnosis of PA, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, adrenalectomy, and surgery. We also did cross-referencing search with the above terms. We had divided our study into five sections: Introduction, Diagnosis, Genetics, Treatment, and Conclusions. We present our results in a question and answer fashion in order to make reading more interesting. RESULTS: PA should be searched in all high-risk populations. The gold standard for diagnosis PA is the plasma aldosterone/plasma renin ratio (ARR). If this test is positive, then we proceed with one of the four confirmatory tests. If positive, then we proceed with a localizing technique like adrenal vein sampling (AVS) and CT scan. If the lesion is unilateral, after proper preoperative preparation, we proceed, in adrenalectomy. If the lesion is bilateral or the patient refuses or is not fit for surgery, we treat them with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, usually spironolactone. CONCLUSIONS: Primary aldosteronism is the most common and a treatable case of secondary hypertension. Only patients with unilateral adrenal diseases are eligible for surgery, while patients with bilateral and non-surgically correctable PA are usually treated by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). Thus, the distinction between unilateral and bilateral aldosterone hypersecretion is crucial.

A step by step approach in differential diagnosing of adrenal incidentaloma (epinephroma), (with comments on the new Clinical Practice Guidelines of the European Society of Endocrinology).

OBJECTIVES: To present a step by step approach for the diagnosis of adrenal incidentaloma (AI). METHOD: An extensive review of the literature was conducted, searching the Pub-Med and Google Scholar using the Mesh terms; Adrenal; Incidentaloma; Adrenal tumours; Radiology; Diagnosis. We also did a cross-referencing search of the literature. Comments on the new European guidelines are presented. RESULTS: The majority of the tumours are non-functioning benign adenomas. The most important radiological characteristic of an adrenal incidentaloma is the radiation attenuation coefficient. Wash out percentage and the imaging characteristics of the tumour may help in diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Density less than 10 HU is in most cases characteristic of a lipid rich benign adenoma. More than 10 HU or/and history of malignancy raise the possibility for cancer. 1 mg dexamethasone test and plasma metanephrines should be done in all patients. If there is history of hypokalemia and/or resistant hypertension we test the plasma aldosterone to plasma renin ratio (ARR). Newer studies have shown that tumours even nonfunctioning and less than 4 cm may increase the metabolic risks so we may consider surgery at an earlier stage.

Adrenal incidentaloma or epinephroma and review of the literature. Differential diagnosis of adrenal incidentaloma.

Objective: A thorough review of the literature concerning Adrenal Incidentalomas (AI) was conducted. Results: We started with the definition and the history of the term Adrenal Incidentaloma. We introduce a new term, the term Epinephroma. We described the epidemiological characteristics of Adrenal Incidentalomas. We cited and commented the characteristics and pitfalls of various radiological modalities. We went on citing the various arguments in literature about the size of the tumour, the natural history, the biochemical characteristics and the treatment of Adrenal Incidentalomas. Conclusion: advances in modern medical technologies has offered us an armamentarioum of new diagnostic modalities which has improved a lot our differential diagnostic abilities concerning an incidental adrenal tumour. However, despite the advances, still a lot of challenges exist.