Non-functioning adrenal adenomas discovered incidentally on computed tomography.

Eighteen patients with unilateral non-metastatic, non-functioning adrenal masses were studied with computed tomography (CT). Pathological examination in 6 cases revealed benign adrenal adenoma. The others were followed up with serial CT scans and found to show no change in tumor size over a period of six months to three years. On the basis of these findings, the authors suggest certain criteria of a benign adrenal mass, including (a) diameter less than 5 cm, (b) smooth contour, (c) well-defined margin, and (d) no change in size on follow-up. Serial CT scanning can be used as an alternative to surgery in the management of many of these patients.