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The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Aug 2014The postoperative course of patients with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) is yet to be clarified. The aims are to review the prevalence and predictive factors of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
CONTEXT
The postoperative course of patients with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) is yet to be clarified. The aims are to review the prevalence and predictive factors of postoperative adrenal insufficiency and the time to recover a normal adrenocortical function in patients with SH and Cushing's syndrome (CS).
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Using the PubMed database, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, selecting studies published from 1980 to 2013.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Of the 1522 papers screened, 28 were selected (13 retrospective, 14 prospective, and one randomized controlled trial). The prevalence of postoperative adrenal insufficiency was 65.3% in 248 SH subjects and 99.7% in 377 CS patients. Patients with SH were reclassified according to the following diagnostic criteria: subjects defined by pathological dexamethasone test only (DEX), and those defined by the dexamethasone test with one (DEX+1) or two additional criteria (DEX+2); and they were compared with CS patients. The prevalence of adrenal insufficiency was 51.4, 60.6, 91.3, and 99.7%, respectively, with no significant difference between the two latter groups. The test with the best compromise between sensitivity (64%) and specificity (81%) in predicting adrenal insufficiency was the midnight serum cortisol. The time to achieve eucortisolism was lower in SH patients than in CS patients (6.5 vs 11.2 mo; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Adrenal insufficiency occurs in about half of the patients with SH if defined only by the pathological dexamethasone test. However, prevalence of adrenal insufficiency and time to recovery are tightly related to the degree of hypercortisolism and diagnostic criteria to define SH, which might help to better define SH for future studies.
Topics: Adrenal Glands; Adrenal Insufficiency; Adrenalectomy; Asymptomatic Diseases; Cushing Syndrome; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Prevalence
PubMed: 24878052
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-1401 -
Cancer Treatment Reviews Aug 2014We systematically reviewed the literature on the use of surgery, stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and percutaneous catheter ablation (PCA) techniques for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
We systematically reviewed the literature on the use of surgery, stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and percutaneous catheter ablation (PCA) techniques for the treatment of adrenal metastases to develop evidence-based recommendations.
METHODS
A systematic review of the MEDLINE database was performed using structured search terms following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible publications were those published from 1990 to 2012, written in English, had at least five patients treated for adrenal metastasis and reported on patient clinical outcomes (local control, survival and treatment related complications/toxicity). Where possible, pooled 2-year local control and overall survival outcomes were analysed.
RESULTS
Our search strategy produced a total of 45 papers addressing the three modalities - 30 adrenalectomy, nine SABR and six PCA (818, 178 and 51 patients, respectively). There was marked heterogeneity in outcome reporting, patient selection and follow-up periods between studies. The weighted 2-year local control and overall survival for adrenalectomy were 84% and 46%, respectively, compared with 63% and 19%, respectively for the SABR cohort. Only one study of PCA with five patients analysed clinical outcomes, reporting an actuarial local control of 80% at 1 year. Treatment related complications/toxicities were inconsistently reported.
CONCLUSION
There is insufficient evidence to determine the best local treatment modality for isolated or limited adrenal metastases from any primary tumour. Published data suggests adrenalectomy to be a reasonable treatment approach for isolated adrenal metastasis in suitable patients. SABR is a valid alternative in cases when surgery is not feasible or the operative risk is unacceptable. PCA cannot be recommended until there are more robust studies which include long-term oncological outcomes.
Topics: Adolescent; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Catheter Ablation; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radiosurgery; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 24791623
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2014.04.001 -
Journal of Child Neurology Aug 2022Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affects the adrenal glands and is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency in...
BACKGROUND
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affects the adrenal glands and is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency in children. In the past few decades, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been implemented to investigate how the brain may be affected by CAH. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate and synthesize the reported evidence of brain findings related to CAH using structural, functional, and diffusion-weighted MRI.
METHODS
We searched bibliographical databases through July 2021 for brain MRI studies in individuals with CAH.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight studies were identified, including 13 case reports or series, 10 studies that recruited and studied CAH patients vs unaffected controls, and 5 studies without a matched control group. Eleven studies used structural MRI to identify structural abnormalities or quantify brain volumes, whereas 3 studies implemented functional MRI to investigate brain activity, and 3 reported diffusion MRI findings to assess white matter microstructure. Some commonly reported findings across studies included cortical atrophy and differences in gray matter volumes, as well as white matter hyperintensities, altered white matter microstructure, and distinct patterns of emotion and reward-related brain activity.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest differences in brain structure and function in patients with CAH. Limitations of these studies highlight the need for CAH neuroimaging studies to incorporate larger sample sizes and follow best study design and MRI analytic practices, as well as clarify potential neurologic effects seen across the lifespan and in relation to clinical and behavioral CAH phenotypes.
Topics: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Brain; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Emotions; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 35746874
DOI: 10.1177/08830738221100886 -
International Journal of Hyperthermia :... 2023To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients exhibiting adrenal metastatic tumors (AMTs). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients exhibiting adrenal metastatic tumors (AMTs).
METHODS
The PubMed, Web of Science, and Wanfang databases were searched for relevant studies published as of November 2022, and study results were pooled for subsequent analysis. The endpoints of this meta-analysis included primary and secondary technical success, local hemorrhage, pneumothorax, hypertensive crisis, local recurrence, and 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates.
RESULTS
This analysis incorporated 11 studies enrolling 351 patients that underwent RFA treatment for 373 AMTs. The pooled primary and secondary technical success, local hemorrhage, pneumothorax, hypertensive crisis, local recurrence, and 1- and 3-year OS rates in these patients were 84%, 91%, 4%, 6%, 7%, 19%, 82%, and 46%, respectively. The 1-year OS ( = 75.2%, = 0.003) and 3-year OS ( = 81.4%, = 0.001) endpoints were subject to significant heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses suggested that primary technical success rates were < 80% in patients with tumors exhibiting a mean diameter ≥ 4 cm. Guidance type and tumor size had no impact on a hypertensive crisis or local recurrence rates.
CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that image-guided RFA represents a safe and effective means of treating AMTs.
Topics: Humans; Pneumothorax; Radiofrequency Ablation; Treatment Outcome; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Survival Rate; Catheter Ablation; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
PubMed: 36889697
DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2185575 -
Minerva Endocrinologica Mar 2017Long-term outcome of patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) is unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically summarize the follow-up and outcome of clinically... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Long-term outcome of patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) is unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically summarize the follow-up and outcome of clinically silent AI who do not undergo surgery.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
All major databases and medical literature in English-language, published from 1998 to May 2015, were systematically searched for publications on AI. Primary endpoint was hormonal hyper function; secondary endpoints were time from diagnosis to study endpoint and the outcome of adrenalectomy. Meta-analysis was performed using both qualitative and quantitative approach.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of 11 publications were included. Total sample size was 1298 patients. Mean follow-up duration was 44.2 months. There were 82 patients confirmed to have subclinical Cushing's syndrome at diagnosis, with 1.79% new cases at the end of follow up (95% CI, 0.002 to 0.045). Incidence of Cushing's syndrome was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.001 to 0.013) and pheochromocytoma 0.4% (95% CI, 0.001 to 0.008). The mean tumor size was 2.52cm, with mean increment of 0.03cm to 2.9cm at the end of follow up. About 3% of patients ended up with surgery (95% CI, 0.01 to 0.05) but none were due to primary adrenal malignancy. Time of greatest risk of developing Cushing's syndrome and pheochromocytoma was between months 36 and 42 (hazard rate 14%), and between months 48 and 54 (hazard rate 7%) respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Malignant change in non-functioning AI is rare. The risk of developing overt disease over the follow-up period is low. A less stringent imaging and functional work-up interval can be considered.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Disease Progression; Humans; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26698544
DOI: 10.23736/S0391-1977.16.02394-4 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jul 2023To summarize the existing knowledge about adrenal gland abscesses, including etiology, clinical presentation, common laboratory and imaging findings, management and... (Review)
Review
To summarize the existing knowledge about adrenal gland abscesses, including etiology, clinical presentation, common laboratory and imaging findings, management and overall morbidity and mortality. Systematic literature review. We performed a search in the PubMed database using search terms: 'abscess and adrenal glands', 'adrenalitis', 'infection and adrenal gland', 'adrenal abscess', 'adrenal infection' and 'infectious adrenalitis'. Articles from 2017 to 2022 were included. We found total of 116 articles, and after applying exclusion criteria, data from 73 articles was included in the final statistical analysis. Of 84 patients included in this review, 68 were male (81%), with a mean age of 55 years (range: 29 to 85 years). Weight loss was the most frequent symptom reported in 58.3% patients, followed by fever in 49%. Mean duration of symptoms was 4.5 months. The most common laboratory findings were low cortisol (51.9%), elevated ACTH (43.2%), hyponatremia (88.2%) and anemia (83.3%). Adrenal cultures were positive in 86.4% cases, with (37.3%) being the leading causative agent. Blood cultures were positive in 30% of patients. The majority of the adrenal infections occurred through secondary dissemination from other infectious foci and abscesses were more commonly bilateral (70%). A total of 46.4% of patients developed long-term adrenal insufficiency requiring treatment. Abscess drainage was performed in 7 patients (8.3%) and adrenalectomy was performed in 18 (21.4%) patients. The survival rate was 92.9%. Multivariate analysis showed that the only independent risk factor for mortality was thrombocytopenia ( = 0.048). Our review shows that adrenal abscesses are usually caused by fungal pathogens, and among these, is the most common. The adrenal glands are usually involved in a bilateral fashion and become infected through dissemination from other primary sources of infection. Long-term adrenal insufficiency develops in 46% of patients, which is more common than what is observed in non-infectious etiology of adrenal gland disorders. Mortality is about 7%, and the presence of thrombocytopenia is associated with worse prognosis. Further prospective studies are needed to better characterize optimal testing and treatment duration in patients with this relatively rare but challenging disorder.
PubMed: 37510716
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144601 -
The Journal of Urology Oct 2023Incidental adrenal masses are common and require a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and management that includes family physicians, urologists, endocrinologists,...
PURPOSE
Incidental adrenal masses are common and require a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and management that includes family physicians, urologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists. The purpose of this guideline is to provide an updated approach to the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of adrenal incidentalomas, with a special focus on the areas of discrepancy/controversy existing among the published guidelines from other associations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This guideline was developed by the Canadian Urological Association (CUA) through a working group comprised of urologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists and subsequently endorsed by the American Urological Association (AUA). A systematic review utilizing the GRADE approach served as the basis for evidence-based recommendations with consensus statements provided in the absence of evidence. For each guideline statement, the strength of recommendation was reported as weak or strong, and the quality of evidence was evaluated as low, medium, or high.
RESULTS
The CUA working group provided evidence- and consensus-based recommendations based on an updated systematic review and subject matter expertise. Important updates on evidence-based radiological evaluation and hormonal testing are included in the recommendations. This guideline clarifies which patients may benefit from surgery and highlights where short term surveillance is appropriate.
CONCLUSION
Incidentally detected adrenal masses require a comprehensive assessment of hormonal function and oncologic risk. This guideline provides a contemporary approach to the appropriate clinical, radiographic, and endocrine assessments required for the evaluation, management, and follow-up of patients with such lesions.
Topics: Humans; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Follow-Up Studies; Canada; Incidental Findings
PubMed: 37556768
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003644 -
European Radiology Mar 2018To evaluate the proportion of pheochromocytomas meeting the criteria for adenoma on adrenal washout CT and the diagnostic performance of adrenal washout CT for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the proportion of pheochromocytomas meeting the criteria for adenoma on adrenal washout CT and the diagnostic performance of adrenal washout CT for differentiating adenoma from pheochromocytoma.
METHODS
MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to 28 March 2017. We included studies that used adrenal washout CT for characterisation of pheochromocytomas. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Proportions were pooled using an inverse variance method for calculating weights (random-effects). Sensitivity and specificity were pooled using hierarchical logistic regression modelling and plotted in a hierarchical summary receiver-operating-characteristics (HSROC) plot.
RESULTS
Ten studies (114 pheochromocytomas) were included. The pooled proportion of pheochromocytomas meeting the criteria for adenomas was 35 % (95 % CI 20-51). For eight studies providing information on diagnostic performance, the pooled sensitivity and specificity for differentiating adenoma from pheochromocytoma were 0.97 (95 % CI 0.93-0.99) and 0.67 (95 % CI 0.44-0.84), respectively. The area under the HSROC curve was 0.97 (95 % CI 0.95-0.98).
CONCLUSIONS
There was a non-negligible proportion of pheochromocytomas meeting the criteria for adenoma on adrenal washout CT. Although overall diagnostic performance was excellent for differentiating adenoma from pheochromocytoma, specificity was relatively low.
KEY POINTS
• Non-negligible proportion of pheochromocytomas can be mistaken for adenoma. • Adrenal washout CT showed good sensitivity (97%) but relatively low specificity (67%). • Findings other than washout percentage should be used when diagnosing pheochromocytomas.
Topics: Adenoma; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; False Positive Reactions; Humans; Pheochromocytoma; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 29026974
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-017-5076-5 -
International Journal of Surgery... Aug 2022This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive adrenalectomy (MIA) with open adrenalectomy (OA) in patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive adrenalectomy versus open adrenalectomy in patients with large adrenal tumors (≥5 cm): A meta-analysis and systematic review.
BACKGROUND
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive adrenalectomy (MIA) with open adrenalectomy (OA) in patients with large adrenal tumors (≥5 cm).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and AMSTAR (Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews) Guidelines. Five databases including Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched. The time frame of the search was set from the creation of the database to March 2022.
RESULTS
Ten studies including 898 patients were included. Compared to OA, MIA is superior for length of stay [LOS WMD = -3.52, 95% CI (-4.61, -2.43), P < 0.01], drainage time [DT WMD = -0.68, 95% CI (-1.27, -0.09), P < 0.05] and fasting time [FT WMD = -0.95, 95% CI (-1.35, -0.55), P < 0.01], estimated blood loss [EBL WMD = -314.22, 95% CI (-494.76, -133.69), P < 0.01] and transfusion [WMD = -416.73, 95% CI (-703.75, -129.72), P < 0.01], while operative time (OT) and complications are not statistically different. For pheochromocytoma, MIA remains superior for LOS [WMD = -3.10, 95% CI (-4.61, -1.60), P < 0.01] and EBL [WMD = -273.65, 95% CI (-457.44, -89.86), P < 0.01], while OT and complications are not significantly different.
CONCLUSION
MIA offers advantages over OA in the management of large adrenal tumors, including in the case of a specific large adrenal tumor - large pheochromocytoma.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenalectomy; Humans; Laparoscopy; Length of Stay; Operative Time; Pheochromocytoma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35870758
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106779 -
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