title: Clinical characteristics of adrenal tumors in children: a retrospective review of a 15-year single-center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adrenal tumors are rare in children. The aim of this study is to review and analyze clinical data on the diagnosis and management of adrenal tumors in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2001 and 2015, 48 pediatric patients (<14 years old) admitted to our institute with adrenal tumors were reviewed. Clinical features, imaging studies, surgical approaches, as well as pathological diagnoses were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The series comprised 28 males and 20 females. Adrenomedullary tumors were 37, including 24 cases of neuroblastoma, 10 cases of ganglioneuroma, 2 cases of ganglioneuroblastoma, and 1 case of pheochromocytoma. Adrenocortical tumors were 10: 9 cases of cortical adenoma and 1 case of cortical cancer. The other one was hematoma. Fever, pain, and abdominal distention were the main clinical manifestations of adrenomedullary tumors, while Cushing syndrome was the most frequent presenting symptom of adrenocortical tumors. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a high diagnostic yield. Some patients had an elevated hormone level. Open adrenalectomy was performed in 40 patients (83.3%), while a laparoscopic approach was employed in eight patients (16.7%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adrenal tumors in children have various types,as well as clinical manifestations. Imaging and laboratory data could be useful for differentiation of malignant from benign tumor. Final diagnosis depends on pathology. Surgical excision of the adrenal tumors is the standard of care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. linxk2000@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaokun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
authors.forename: Dazhou
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
authors.forename: Congde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D018268:Adrenocortical Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000072716:Cancer Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Adrenal tumor; Children; Diagnoses; Neuroblastoma; Surgery