[Our experience with adrenalectomy (1994-2000). Overall review].
OBJECTIVE
Thirty cases of adrenalectomy are presented. The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of adrenal disease are reviewed.


METHODS
Over the last 6 years, 30 adrenalectomies were performed in 28 patients (20 females and 8 males) aged 16-83 years (mean age 51 years). The lesion was incidentally discovered in 18.5%, 33.3% presented abdominal or lumbar pain, 18.5% had Cushing's syndrome, 18.5% presented headache and hypertension, and 7.4% virilization. Diagnostic evaluation included laboratory studies, ultrasound and CT assessment. Scintigraphic localization with MIBG, MRI or arteriography was performed in specific cases. The flank approach was utilized in 53% of the cases.


RESULTS
The postoperative period ranged from 7-23 days (mean 11). Postoperative complications (38.4%) following adrenalectomy were splenectomy, hemorrhage, hypertensive episodes, vascular complications, wound infection and pneumonia. Fifty percent of the masses were pheochromocytomas, 10% carcinomas and 5% adenomas. The rest were two neural crest derived tumors, one calcified cyst, one myelolipoma and one metastatic renal carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of adrenal disease are reviewed.
Gómez Díaz
M E
ME
Servicio de Urología, Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijón, Asturias, España.
García-Sastre García
M E
ME
Rivas del Fresno
M
M
Castaño González-Coto
D
D
Muruamendiaraz Fernández
V
V
Cuervo Calvo
J
J
Alonso Ordóñez
M
M
Tamargo Alvarez
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged