Adrenal incidentalomas: a simple guide to a disease of modern technology

Incidentally discovered adrenal masses (adrenal incidentalomas) found during radiological procedures are a by-product of modern-day medicine. Incidental findings of such adrenal masses pose uncertainties and dilemmas in evaluation and management. There is a paucity of comprehensive guidelines from professional societies, and current recommendations (based on expert opinions and the US National Institutes of Health statement, 2002) are open to debate with regards to cost and clinical benefit. We report two patients with ‘adrenal incidentalomas’ with different outcomes during the course of evaluation. We conclude with a simple guide to the evaluation and management of such masses based on the available literature.

Keywords Adrenal incidentaloma, Cushing’s syndrome, phaeochromocytoma

Declaration of Interests No conflict of interests declared.