-
The Journal of Urology Jan 2021Adrenal incidentalomas are being discovered with increasing frequency, and their discovery poses a challenge to clinicians. Despite the 2002 National Institutes of...
PURPOSE
Adrenal incidentalomas are being discovered with increasing frequency, and their discovery poses a challenge to clinicians. Despite the 2002 National Institutes of Health consensus statement, there are still discrepancies in the most recent guidelines from organizations representing endocrinology, endocrine surgery, urology and radiology. We review recent guidelines across the specialties involved in diagnosing and treating adrenal incidentalomas, and discuss points of agreement as well as controversy among guidelines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PubMed®, Scopus®, Embase™ and Web of Science™ databases were searched systematically in November 2019 in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement to identify the most recently updated committee produced clinical guidelines in each of the 4 specialties. Five articles met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
There is little debate among the reviewed guidelines as to the initial evaluation of an adrenal incidentaloma. All patients with a newly discovered adrenal incidentaloma should receive an unenhanced computerized tomogram and hormone screen. The most significant points of divergence among the guidelines regard reimaging an initially benign appearing mass, repeat hormone testing and management of an adrenal incidentaloma that is not easily characterized as benign or malignant on computerized tomography. The guidelines range from actively recommending against any repeat imaging and hormone screening to recommending a repeat scan as early as in 3 to 6 months and annual hormonal screening for several years.
CONCLUSIONS
After reviewing the guidelines and the evidence used to support them we posit that best practices lie at their convergence and have presented our management recommendations on how to navigate the guidelines when they are discrepant.
Topics: Adenoma; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenal Glands; Adrenalectomy; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Biopsy; Endocrinology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical Oncology; Patient Preference; Pheochromocytoma; Positron-Emission Tomography; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Radiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Urology; Watchful Waiting
PubMed: 32856984
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000001342 -
International Journal of Urology :... Jun 2024This work aims to assess the diagnostic value of chromogranin A (CgA) in the laboratory diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors classified as pheochromocytoma and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
This work aims to assess the diagnostic value of chromogranin A (CgA) in the laboratory diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors classified as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL).
METHODS
A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to obtain relevant studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of CgA in patients with PPGL. The search involved studies written in English between the time of library inception and May 1, 2023. We computed the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were determined. The heterogeneity was assessed using the Chi-square test and the I test. The subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the origins of heterogeneity. Stata 15.1 statistical software was used in all data analyses.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 1470 patients. CgA had a pooled diagnostic sensitivity of 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.91), a specificity of 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-0.95), and a DOR of 57 (95% CI 23-142). CgA had an AUC of 0.93. The studies did not reveal any threshold effect (r = -0.165; p > 0.05). The subgroup analyses revealed that the control group category and the detection method caused the overall heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that CgA is a helpful PPGL biomarker. However, relying solely on CgA for diagnosis is not advisable. A comprehensive approach is essential for accurate diagnosis. Future large-scale research is needed to refine CgA's clinical application.
Topics: Humans; Pheochromocytoma; Chromogranin A; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Paraganglioma; Biomarkers, Tumor; Sensitivity and Specificity; ROC Curve
PubMed: 38380475
DOI: 10.1111/iju.15423 -
Journal of Robotic Surgery Mar 2024To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of robot-assisted adrenalectomy (RA) and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for pheochromocytoma (PHEO). We conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of robot-assisted adrenalectomy (RA) and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for pheochromocytoma (PHEO). We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for studies comparing RA and LA treatment for PHEO, covering the period from database inception to January 1, 2024. Two researchers will independently screen literature and extract data, followed by meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3 software. Six studies with 658 patients were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in operation time [MD = -8.03, 95% CI (-25.68,9.62), P > 0.05], transfusion rate [OR = 1.10, 95% CI (0.55, 2.19) , P > 0.05], conversion rate [OR = 0.31, 95% CI (0.08, 1.12), P > 0.05], complication rate [OR = 0.93, 95% CI (0.52, 1.70), P > 0.05], Intraoperative max SBP [MD = -4.08, 95% CI (-10.13,1.97), P > 0.05], Intraoperative min SBP [MD = -2.71, 95% CI (-9.60,4.18), P > 0.05] among patients undergoing RA and LA. However, compared with patients who underwent LA, patients who underwent RA had less estimated blood loss [MD = -37.72, 95% CI (-64.11,-11.33), P < 0.05], a shorter length of hospital stay [MD = -0.43, 95% CI (-0.65,-0.21) P < 0.05]. RA has higher advantages in some aspects compared to LA. RA is a feasible, safe, and comparable treatment option for PHEO.
Topics: Humans; Laparoscopy; Adrenalectomy; Pheochromocytoma; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38466492
DOI: 10.1007/s11701-024-01846-5 -
Clinical Endocrinology Dec 2019Inoperable and metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) present a therapeutic challenge with current treatment options being limited to radiolabelled... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Inoperable and metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) present a therapeutic challenge with current treatment options being limited to radiolabelled meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine (MIBG) and systemic chemotherapy. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) seems to be a promising option for these patients with few studies reporting favourable response. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRRT in patients with advanced PPGLs.
METHODS
This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches in PubMed, Scopus and Embase were made using relevant keywords and articles up to May 2019 were included. Data on efficacy and toxicity were extracted from the individual articles, and pooled estimates were generated using meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Twelve articles consisting of 201 patients with advanced PPGLs were included. Overall, treatment with PRRT achieved an objective response rate of 25% (95% CI: 19%-32%) and a disease control rate of 84% (95% CI: 77%-89%). Clinical and biochemical responses were seen in 61% and 64% of the patients, respectively. Among the PRRTs, similar tumour response rates were noted for Y-yttrium- and Lu-lutetium-based agents. Treatment-related adverse effects were minimal with grade 3/4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and nephrotoxicity observed in 3%, 9%, 11% and 4% of the patients, respectively. Treatment discontinuation was noted in five out of 102 patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a safe and efficacious treatment option for advanced PPGLs and may be considered a viable alternative to chemotherapy and I- MIBG.
Topics: Female; Heterocyclic Compounds; Humans; Male; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Paraganglioma; Peptides, Cyclic; Pheochromocytoma; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Peptide
PubMed: 31569282
DOI: 10.1111/cen.14106 -
Biomedicines Mar 2023We have performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE, a radioligand therapy, in advanced somatostatin receptor-positive... (Review)
Review
Efficacy and Safety of [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in Adults with Inoperable or Metastatic Somatostatin Receptor-Positive Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas, Bronchial and Unknown Origin Neuroendocrine Tumors, and Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Literature Review.
BACKGROUND
We have performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE, a radioligand therapy, in advanced somatostatin receptor-positive pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL), thymic neuroendocrine tumor (NET), bronchial NET, unknown primary NET, or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
METHODS
Studies identified in PubMed from inception to 13 May 2021 must have assessed [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE as a single agent and reported outcome data for the specific NET types of interest.
RESULTS
Two independent reviewers performed the screening and data extraction, resulting in 16 publications: PPGL ( = 7), bronchial NETs ( = 6; one also included NETs of unknown origin), and MTC ( = 3). Overall, [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE offers encouraging antitumor activity (overall tumor response rates and disease control rates) across NET types. Safety was favorable with most adverse events mild to moderate in severity, transient, and consistent with those seen in patients with gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NETs.
CONCLUSIONS
[Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE has been used effectively in clinical practice to treat NETs of non-GEP origin.
PubMed: 37189646
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041024 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023: Partial adrenalectomy (PA) is an alternative option to total adrenalectomy for the treatment of hereditary pheochromocytoma (PHEO) to preserve cortical function and... (Review)
Review
: Partial adrenalectomy (PA) is an alternative option to total adrenalectomy for the treatment of hereditary pheochromocytoma (PHEO) to preserve cortical function and avoid life-long steroid replacement. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence in terms of clinical outcome, recurrence, and corticosteroid therapy implementation after PA for MEN2-PHEOs. : From a total of 931 adrenalectomies (1997-2022), 16 of the 194 patients who underwent surgical treatment of PHEO had MEN2 syndrome. There were six patients scheduled for PA. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for English studies from 1981 to 2022. : Among six patients who underwent PA for MEN2-related PHEO in our center, we reported two with bilateral synchronous disease and three with metachronous PHEOs. One recurrence was registered. Less than 20 mg/day Hydrocortison therapy was necessary in 50% of patients after bilateral procedures. Systematic review identified 83 PA for MEN2-PHEO. Bilateral synchronous PHEO, metachronous PHEO and disease recurrence were reported in 42%, 26%, and 4% of patients, respectively. Postoperative steroid implementation was necessary in 65% of patients who underwent bilateral procedures. : PA seems to be a safe and valuable option for the treatment of MEN2-related PHEOs, balancing the risk of disease recurrence with the need for corticosteroid therapy.
PubMed: 36836782
DOI: 10.3390/life13020425 -
BJU International Jan 2017The aim of this study was to provide an evidence-based systematic review of the use of laparoscopic and robotic adrenalectomy in the treatment of adrenal disease as part... (Review)
Review
International Consultation on Urological Diseases and European Association of Urology International Consultation on Minimally Invasive Surgery in Urology: laparoscopic and robotic adrenalectomy.
The aim of this study was to provide an evidence-based systematic review of the use of laparoscopic and robotic adrenalectomy in the treatment of adrenal disease as part of the International Consultation on Urological Diseases and European Association of Urology consultation on Minimally Invasive Surgery in Urology. A systematic literature search (January 2004 to January 2014) was conducted to identify comparative studies assessing the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive adrenal surgery. Subtopics including the role of minimally invasive surgery for pheochromocytoma, adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and large adrenal tumours were examined. Additionally, the role of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches, as well as laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) and robotic adrenalectomy were reviewed. The major findings are presented in an evidence-based fashion. Large retrospective and prospective data were analysed and a set of recommendations provided by the committee was produced. Laparoscopic surgery should be considered the first-line therapy for benign adrenal masses requiring surgical resection and for patients with pheochromocytoma. While a laparoscopic approach may be feasible for selected cases of ACC without adjacent organ involvement, an open surgical approach remains the 'gold standard'. Large adrenal tumours without preoperative or intra-operative suspicion of ACC may be safely resected via a laparoscopic approach. Both transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches to laparoscopic adrenalectomy are safe. The approach should be chosen based on surgeon training and experience. LESS and robotic adrenalectomy should be considered as alternatives to laparoscopic adrenalectomy but require further study.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenalectomy; Humans; Laparoscopy; Robotic Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 27431446
DOI: 10.1111/bju.13592 -
Stroke Nov 2016We investigated clinical and radiological characteristics of ischemic stroke patients with Takotsubo-like myocardial dysfunction. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
We investigated clinical and radiological characteristics of ischemic stroke patients with Takotsubo-like myocardial dysfunction.
METHODS
From multicenter stroke registry database, ischemic stroke patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography were found. Among these, patients were classified if they had specific ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities discording with coronary artery distribution, such as apical (typical pattern) or nonapical ballooning (atypical pattern), considered as echocardiographic findings of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Patients with ischemic heart disease history, myocarditis, or pheochromocytoma were excluded. We compared patients with Takotsubo-like myocardial dysfunction with those without and further performed systematic literature review on those with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
RESULTS
This study included 23 patients (0.42%). The mean age was 70.7±13.9 years, with predominance of women (73.9%) and typical pattern of Takotsubo-like myocardial dysfunction (91.3%). They were associated with short-term poor functional outcomes, including high mortality, neurological deterioration, and functional status at discharge, compared with those without (39.1% versus 2.4%, 47.8% versus 7.4%; and median [interquartile range], 5 [5-6] versus 3 [2-4]; all P<0.001). They had a higher inflammatory marker level and lower triglyceride level. Ischemic lesions were more commonly found in the right anterior circulation with specific dominant regions being the insula and peri-insular areas. In addition, a trend toward a remarkable mortality rate and higher prevalence of insular involvement was observed in the propensity-score matching, subgroup fulfilling the strict Takotsubo cardiomyopath criteria, and was as reported in literature review.
CONCLUSION
Stroke patients with Takotsubo-like myocardial dysfunction may differ from those without in clinical outcomes, laboratory findings, and radiological features.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Ischemia; Comorbidity; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Registries; Stroke; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
PubMed: 27729583
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.014304 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Sep 2015Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome (ECS) can be a diagnostic challenge with the hormonal source difficult to find. This study analyzes the accuracy of imaging studies in ECS... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome (ECS) can be a diagnostic challenge with the hormonal source difficult to find. This study analyzes the accuracy of imaging studies in ECS localization.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Systematic review of medical literature for ECS case series providing individual patient data on at least one conventional imaging technique (computed tomography [CT]/magnetic resonance imaging) and one of the following: 111In-pentetreotide (OCT), 131I/123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine, 18Ffluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), 18F-fluorodopa-PET (F-DOPA-PET), 68Ga- DOTATATE-PET/CT or 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT scan (68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT).
EVIDENCE SUMMARY
The analysis comprised 231 patients (females, 50.2%; age, 42.617 y). Overall, 52.4%(121/231) had "overt" ECS,18.6% had "occult" ECS, and 29% had "covert" ECS. Tumors were located in the lung (55.3%), mediastinum-thymus (7.9%), pancreas (8.5%), adrenal glands (6.4%), gastrointestinal tract (5.4%), thyroid (3.7%), and other sites (12.8%), and primary tumors were mostly bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) (54.8%), pancreatic NETs (8%), mediastinum-thymus NETs (6.9%), gastrointestinal NETs (5.3%), pheochromocytoma (6.4%), neuroblastoma (3.2%), and medullary thyroid carcinoma (3.2%). Tumors were localized byCTin66.2%(137/207), magnetic resonance imaging in 51.5% (53/103), OCT in 48.9% (84/172), FDG-PET in 51.7% (46/89), F-DOPAPET in 57.1% (12/21), 131/123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine in 30.8% (4/13), and 68Gallium-SSTRPET/CT in 81.8% (18/22) of cases. Molecular imaging discovered 79.1% (53/67) of tumors unidentified by conventional radiology, with OCT the most commonly used, revealing the tumor in 64%, followed by FDG-PET in 59.4%. F-DOPA-PET was used in only seven covert cases (sensitivity, 85.7%). Notably, 68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT had 100% sensitivity among covert cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Nuclear medicine improves the sensitivity of conventional radiology when tumor site identification is problematic. OCT offers a good availability/reliability ratio, and FDG-PET was proven useful. 68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT use was infrequent, despite offering the highest sensitivity.
Topics: Cushing Syndrome; Diagnostic Imaging; Humans; Nuclear Medicine; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 26158607
DOI: 10.1210/JC.2015-1589 -
European Journal of Endocrinology Aug 2016To perform a systematic review of published literature on adrenal biopsy and to assess its performance in diagnosing adrenal malignancy. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review of published literature on adrenal biopsy and to assess its performance in diagnosing adrenal malignancy.
METHODS
Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial were searched from inception to February 2016. Reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality in duplicate.
RESULTS
We included 32 observational studies reporting on 2174 patients (39.4% women, mean age 59.8 years) undergoing 2190 adrenal mass biopsy procedures. Pathology was described in 1621/2190 adrenal lesions (689 metastases, 68 adrenocortical carcinomas, 64 other malignancies, 464 adenomas, 226 other benign, 36 pheochromocytomas, and 74 others). The pooled non-diagnostic rate (30 studies, 2013 adrenal biopsies) was 8.7% (95%CI: 6-11%). The pooled complication rate (25 studies, 1339 biopsies) was 2.5% (95%CI: 1.5-3.4%). Studies were at a moderate risk for bias. Most limitations related to patient selection, assessment of outcome, and adequacy of follow-up. Only eight studies (240 patients) could be included in the diagnostic performance analysis with a sensitivity and specificity of 87 and 100% for malignancy, 70 and 98% for adrenocortical carcinoma, and 87 and 96% for metastasis respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence based on small sample size and moderate risk of bias suggests that adrenal biopsy appears to be most useful in the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis in patients with a history of extra-adrenal malignancy. Adrenal biopsy should only be performed if the expected findings are likely to alter the management of the individual patient and after biochemical exclusion of catecholamine-producing tumors to help prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Diseases; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenal Glands; Biopsy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis
PubMed: 27257146
DOI: 10.1530/EJE-16-0297