Teratoma of the adrenal gland: clinical experience and literature review

Abstract

Teratoma originates from pluripotent cells of two or more than two germ cell layers, and most of them are benign. Teratomas are found in the ovaries and testes. Retroperitoneal teratoma is rare, especially adrenal teratoma. Here, we describe a rare case of a 17-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and a right adrenal mass at the age of eight. So, she received anti-tuberculosis treatment. Nine years later, chest X-rays showed prior lesions in both lungs, and abdominal CT showed the mass in the right adrenal gland was larger than before, during this period she had no clinical symptoms. She underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and the pathological diagnosis was a mature teratoma of the right adrenal gland. During a one-year follow-up, the patients recovered well without any discomfort.Thirty-two cases were found in the literature review, among which no patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Adrenal teratoma is often seen in females and the left adrenal gland. The imaging features of adrenal teratoma can be cystic, solid, and cystic solids. Mature fat and calcification can be seen in most teratomas. Comprehensive analysis of clinical features and imaging characteristics can enhance the diagnostic confidence of radiologists in adrenal teratoma.

Rare Primary Adrenal Tumor: A Case Report of Teratomas and Literatures Review

“…In addition, CT and MRI can also clarify the location of tumor growth and its relationship to surrounding organs, facilitating the assessment of surgical approaches and risks. However, other adrenal tumors with a fatty component are considered for differentiation from adrenal teratomas, including myelolipoma, lipoma, angiomyolipoma, and liposarcoma ( 12 ). In previously reported cases, a number of adrenal teratomas have been misdiagnosed preoperatively.…”

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a giant adrenal teratoma: A case report and review of the literature

“…Extragonadal teratomas (15 % of teratomas) may occur anywhere along the midline but most commonly includes the mediastinum, sacrococcygeal region, retroperitoneum, and pineal gland. Only 4 % occur in the retroperitoneum [2] , [3] .…”

“…They often grow large enough to cause compressive symptoms and pain [1] . Only 15 % of teratomas are extragonadal [2] , [3] and occurrence in the adrenals is exceedingly rare, accounting for 1 % of all teratomas, 1–4 % of excised adrenal nodules and 0.13 % of adrenal tumours [4] , [5] . There is a paucity of literature on the subject, with no cases reported from the Caribbean.…”

Mucinous Cystic Adenoma of the Liver: A Thought-Provoking Case of an Uncommon Hepatic Neoplasm

“…MCN in the liver may arise from ectopic stromal cells or primitive gonadal tissue [ 8 – 10 ], and these may have an ability to transdifferentiate to ovarian cortical cells [ 8 – 10 ]. In general, teratomas arise from germ cells that originate in the mature genital glands [ 22 , 23 ], and extremely rare cases of teratomas at extragonadal site and/or origin have been reported [ 24 – 26 ]. In particular, the unique finding of fatty tissue and rare finding of calcifications in the tumor were clearly observed in our patient.…”