Adrenal Tuberculosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Adrenal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease, which is difficult to diagnose because of its atypical symptoms. We reported a 41-year-old female who was admitted to hospital due to a left adrenal tumor, which was found in health examination without any symptoms. Abdominal CT showed a mass in her left adrenal. The results of blood test were normal. A retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy was carried out, and adrenal TB was finally pathologically diagnosed. Following this, examinations focusing on TB were conducted which revealed negative results except for T-cell enzyme-linked immunospot. After the operation, the hormone level was normal. However, a wound infection occurred, which was recovered after antituberculosis treatment. In conclusion, even if there is no evidence of TB, we should be alert when diagnosing adrenal masses. Examinations of pathology, radiography, and hormone play important roles in determining the definite diagnosis of adrenal TB.

A rare case of disseminated rhinosporidiosis mimicking tuberculosis

“…Typical feature of adrenal histoplasmosis is symmetrical involvement of bilateral adrenal gland with areas of hemorrhages and necrosis [8] . In early-stage adrenal tuberculosis, involvement can appear as mass-like enlargement in 50–65 % or adreniform enlargement in 35–50 % [10] . At later stage, adrenal gland return to it’s normal size or shrinks due to fibrosis and calcification [10] .…”

“…In early-stage adrenal tuberculosis, involvement can appear as mass-like enlargement in 50–65 % or adreniform enlargement in 35–50 % [10] . At later stage, adrenal gland return to it’s normal size or shrinks due to fibrosis and calcification [10] . There is central necrosis with peripheral enhancement in 40–50 % of subjects [10] .…”

“…At later stage, adrenal gland return to it’s normal size or shrinks due to fibrosis and calcification [10] . There is central necrosis with peripheral enhancement in 40–50 % of subjects [10] . In our case, the lesions appear as mass-like with well-defined margins and demonstrated irregular thick enhancing walls without local invasion; thus, tuberculosis or fungal came into our mind rather than malignancy or metastasis.…”