Adrenal cysts: Our laparoscopic experience

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cystic lesions of the adrenals are rare with an incidence of 0.06% in autopsies, and the most frequently found are either the endothelial cysts or the pseudocysts. We report our series of patients presenting with adrenal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case records of patients presenting with adrenal cysts were reviewed and analyzed. Age, gender, presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory investigations and imaging records were all noted and analysed. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 14 patients, with a mean age of 41.36 ± 5.57 years, were diagnosed to have adrenal cysts. Laparoscopic excision of cysts was performed in three and laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the remaining eleven. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal cysts are rare, and intervention is indicated whenever they are large (>5 cm), symptomatic, functional, and potentially malignant. Laparoscopic management of these cysts in the form of either decortication/excision is safe, effective, minimally invasive, with minimal blood loss and shorter duration of hospitalization.