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The following is a summary of “Cytological Assessment of Adrenal Tumours: Insights From 22-Years Single Centre Experience,” published in the April 2025 issue of Clinical Endocrinology by Carasel et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess the diagnostic role and associated risks of adrenal gland biopsy in evaluating adrenal masses.  

They assessed the safety and diagnostic value of cytology in individuals who underwent fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the adrenal glands at Karolinska University Hospital (Stockholm, Sweden) between 2000 and 2022. The study included 241 individuals and 251 FNAs, with 10 individuals undergoing 2 FNAs each. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory data were collected and compared with cytological results and clinical outcomes.  

The results showed that diagnostic FNA was achieved in 90% of individuals (n = 217), with the highest success using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) [95.8%], followed by computerized tomography (CT) [88.7%] and transabdominal ultrasound [86.7%]. The sensitivity and specificity were 93.8% and 96.7%, respectively. Metastases to the adrenal gland were identified in 52.7% of FNA samples. The complication rate was 7.9% (n = 20). Adrenalectomy was performed in 13.6% of individuals based on FNA results. Among those with benign findings, 52.8% received conservative management, while chemotherapy was initiated in 78.7% of individuals with malignant findings.  

Investigators concluded that FNA of the adrenal glands was a safe, minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that could be useful in evaluating adrenal lesions. 

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.15254