Cystic phaeochromocytoma is a distinctive subgroup with special clinical, imaging and histological features that might mislead the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report and analyse cases of cystic phaeochromocytoma at our institution and in previous publications, as adrenal cystic masses are usually associated with nonfunctional lesions, but they can be phaeochromocytoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective adrenalectomy database at our institution was reviewed to identify patients with phaeochromocytoma and cystic lesions. The clinical, radiological and histological features of cystic phaeochromocytoma were evaluated. Other previously published data were identified and compared with the present series. RESULTS: In all, there were 107 adrenalectomies at our institution from November 2000 to March 2007; 31 of these patients had a confirmed diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma and six (19%) were cystic phaeochromocytomas. Three of the six cases were asymptomatic and had a negative biochemical evaluation (one male and five females, mean tumour size 6.6 cm); the imaging diagnosis was mainly based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the foremost feature was the enhancement of the tumour rim associated with a central cystic mass. Nine other previously published cases were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: From the present large series and previous anecdotally reported cases, patients with cystic phaeochromocytomas are more likely to be asymptomatic, to complain of chronic abdominal pain, and to have a negative biochemical evaluation, which might deter physicians from conducting a full evaluation for phaeochromocytoma and mislead the final diagnosis. As such, there could be an even higher prevalence of this entity that is yet to be determined.

Advances in pheochromocytoma management in the era of laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: To understand the advances that were made in the management of pheochromocytoma since laparoscopy was initiated at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for all patients who underwent surgical procedure for adrenal diseases had been recorded prospectively since September 2000, when laparoscopy was routinely initiated at our institution; all patients with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma up to December 2005 had their data assessed (group 1). Charts for all patients with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma who underwent surgery at our institution from 1990 to 1995 (group 2) were reviewed, and the data were compared with data from patients in group 1. RESULTS: In group 1, 24 patients with pheochromocytoma underwent 26 procedures at our institution, including five patients with extra-adrenal tumor and one patient with bilateral tumor; 18 adrenalectomies (one bilateral) were performed, and two extra-adrenal tumors were removed using a laparoscopic approach. In group 2, ten open adrenalectomies were performed in 9 patients (1 bilateral). The patients who underwent laparoscopy for either adrenal or extra-adrenal tumor had shorter operative times and hospital stay and less bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Pheochromocytoma is a complex disease with potentially severe complications. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be safely performed for removal of either adrenal or extra-adrenal tumors. Patients spend a shorter time in the critical care unit after the procedure.

Contemporary different patterns of indications and outcomes for the surgical management of renal tumors in an academic center.

PURPOSE: Inconsistencies have been pointed out in the treatment of small renal tumors by laparoscopists, as many would remove the entire kidney unnecessarily, whereas open surgeons are more likely to perform partial nephrectomy. Thus, we compared the practice and outcomes between two groups of surgeons treating renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the renal cancer database from our institution from January 2000 to October 2006 for data retrieval and analysis. The patients treated by the laparoscopy staff (LS) and the oncology staff (OS) were divided into two groups for comparison. Data were collected for age, gender, type of surgery performed, time of operation, length of stay in the hospital, complications, histological evaluation, operation room time, hospital stay time, complications rate, and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 240 patients were evaluated, 149 in the LS group (62%) and 91 in the OS group (38%), and the results have been summarized. Fifty percent of all procedures were open; however, in the OS group 100% of the surgeries were open and in the LS group 19% of the cases were open. Interestingly, only 9% of the surgeries in the OS group were nephron sparing, whereas in the LS group 60% of the patients had their kidneys spared. OS treated a higher percentage of locally advanced tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopists performed a more variety of surgical approaches including open procedures and performed much more nephron sparing surgeries than the oncologists. Open surgery still plays an important role for locally advanced disease and hilar tumors.