title: Intra-adrenal bile ductules associated with adreno-hepatic fusion: a possible origin for adrenal epithelial cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the relationship between the rare phenomenon of adrenal cysts and adreno-hepatic fusion (AHF)-related intra-adrenal bile ductules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We examined 673 right and 662 left postmortem adrenal glands. AHF was defined as an adhesion between the liver and an adrenal with closely intermingled parenchymal cells or partial absence of the capsule dividing the two organs. AHF was found in seven (1.0%) right adrenals. AHF-related intra-adrenal bile ductules were observed in four (0.6%) adrenals, and were accompanied by aberrant hepatocytes (two adrenals), microcystic changes (two adrenals) and, in one case, a 15-mm-sized cyst. The cyst-lining cells, which focally resembled the cells of the neighbouring intra-adrenal bile ductules, were positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), CK19 and epithelial membrane antigen, and negative for CK20, vimentin, CD34 and calretinin. Identical findings were made in bile ductules located within fused adrenals and livers. CD10 staining was weaker or absent in the microcystic or cystic bile ductules found within adrenals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 15-mm cyst we describe may have been an adrenal epithelial cyst derived from AHF-related intra-adrenal bile ductules, a possible pathogenesis for the rare phenomenon of right adrenal epithelial cysts.
authors: Department of Pathology, Japan Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. skuma@cocoa.plala.or.jp
authors: Susumu
authors: S
authors: Matsukuma
authors: Takako
authors: T
authors: Kono
authors: Hiroaki
authors: H
authors: Takeo
authors: Kimiya
authors: K
authors: Sato
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic; D002828:Choristoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D003560:Cysts / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology