Uncommon benign lesions of the adrenal glands mimicking sinister pathologies: report of 8 cases.

PURPOSE To present series of patients with large rare primary lesions of the adrenal glands that were operated in our department. The initial indication for surgery was decided based on their impressive similarity to other more sinister adrenal pathologies. METHODS The clinical records of the department and histopathology reports, covering the 1986-2015 period were assessed. Rare adrenal pathologies that preoperatively were clinically mimicking other adrenal tumors were included. RESULTS In total, 8 patients (age range 20-75 years) with rare tumors of the adrenal glands were found. Seven patients had a preoperative indication for adrenalectomy due to the possibility of malignancy. In one patient surgery was undertaken due to the possible diagnosis of adrenal hemorrhagic cyst. Among these patients 4 had a histopathologic diagnosis of hemangiomas, one of a lymphangiomatous cyst and 3 of myelolipomas. CONCLUSION Rare benign tumors of the adrenal glands can present as very large lesions that can be either diagnosed incidentally or due to atypical symptoms. Though unusual, they should be considered in the differential diagnostic approach of adrenal lesions, because they share common clinical and radiological characteristics with more sinister and frequent lesions such as malignant tumors and also hematomas.