title: Adrenal ganglioneuromas: experience from a retrospective study in a Chinese population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are benign neoplasms of combined neural crest, schwannian,and connective tissue origin, occurring rarely in the adrenal glands. The present study is to share our experience regarding diagnostic and therapeutic management of these tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adrenal GNs of 15 patients were found incidentally with ultrasonography and were evaluated subsequently with computed tomography (CT) scan. Clinical data as well as follow-up data were collected retrospectively. All the patients received operative resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 38.4 years (range, 25-52 years; male to female ratio, 2:1). Of study subjects 11 patients had unilateral GN on the right side, and the remaining 4 on the left side. All but 1 patient were asymptomatic. No hormonal secretion was apparent. Mean size of the tumors in CT scan was 6.27 cm (range, 2.5-14 cm), while 10 were larger than 5 cm. Eight patients underwent open adrenalectomy and the remaining 7 underwent laparoscopic anterior adrenalectomy. Histologically, all 15 neoplasms were completely differentiated,mature GN. We had no mortality or significant morbidity. Mean duration of hospitalization was 5.5 days (range, 3-7 days). There was no recurrence, during a mean followup of 5.4 years (range, 1-10 years).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-operative diagnosis of adrenal GNs remains difficult merely according to physical examination. Therefore, we recommend complete operative resection once malignancy cannot be excluded by pre-operative analyses. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a reasonable option, at least for tumors ≤ 5 cm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Jialiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nanhui Branch of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201300, China.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Shanghai 200040, China.qulianxi@medmail.com.cn.
authors.forename: Lianxi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies