title: Incidental finding of idiopathic unilateral adrenal calcification in an 18-month-old child: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: The presence of calcified lesions in the adrenal gland requires a careful endocrine, microbiological and radiological evaluation combined with detailed clinical history to confirm its non-evolving nature and avoid unnecessary surgery. We report an 18-month-old male child hospitalized with an incidentally discovered calcification in his right adrenal gland. All biochemical data as well as liver, renal and adrenal function tests were normal. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed that the right adrenal gland was completely occupied by a large calcification, which was put in relationship with an undetected adrenal distress during the neonatal period, as macrosomy and clavicle fracture of the newborn could let us suggest. Our report describes the diagnostic approach to disclose the nature of a suprarenal mass, which is particularly problematic when this is found incidentally. In addition, an extensive review of the medical literature dealing with non-traumatic adrenal calcifications and haemorrhages in children has been carried out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Sciences, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Puma
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rigante
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stabile
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orchi
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossodivita
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male