Adrenal Hemangioma Presenting as an Incidentaloma Clinically Suspicious for Malignancy

Summary: Adrenal hemangiomas are rare, benign and non-functioning tumors. Clinical diagnosis can be challenging given that the presentation is usually vague and lesions are often found incidentally during diagnostic imaging performed for other reasons. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and anemia, arthralgia and joint swelling with unexplained weight loss, which prompted imaging studies. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 5.4 cm mass involving the left adrenal gland. The patient had no clinical manifestations of adrenal medullary or cortical hyperfunction. Biochemical testing performed included urine and plasma metanephrines and aldosterone/renin ratio, which yielded results within normal range. The patient was taking prednisone for hand and ankle swelling, precluding assessment for Cushing’s syndrome. Given the size of the lesion, the possibility of malignancy was considered. The patient elected for a left adrenalectomy. Gross examination revealed a 4.9 cm mass, weighing 54 grams, with a tan-brown, congested cut surface and a thin rim of residual normal appearing adrenal gland parenchyma. Histologic examination of the surgical specimen showed an enlarged adrenal gland predominantly replaced by hemorrhage with foci of thick and thin walled vessels with areas of intermingled adrenocortical elements at the periphery. A diagnosis of adrenal hemangioma was made. Adrenal hemangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adrenal tumors. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for a large, isolated adrenal mass to exclude malignancy and prevent retroperitoneal hemorrhage.