Hormone silent giant adrenal incidentaloma-adrenal ganglioneuroma: case report and literature review

Introduction

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are rare, benign, well-differentiated neurogenic tumors that arise from neural crest cells. GNs usually occur along the paravertebral sympathetic ganglia [1], possible locations include from the skull base to the pelvis, the posterior mediastinum, the neck, or in the retroperitoneum [2]. Adrenal GNs are less common (21 % of all GNs) [3]. AGNs are considered “giant” when the diameter of the adrenal tumor is > 6 cm. The preoperative diagnosis of an adrenal tumor is critically important to avoid some devastating perioperative complications, such as a hypertensive crisis, severe hypotension, and/or adrenal crisis. Once we get a preliminary judgment of the tumor’s endocrine characteristics, surgery is often considered. Giant tumors always pose a certain challenge to surgeons considering the appropriate procedure approach (laparoscopic vs. open surgery).

Publication History

Article published online:
17 June 2021

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