Mielolipoma suprarrenal, revisión de literatura en México a propósito de dos casos / Adrenal myelolipoma, review of the literature in Mexico apropos of two cases

Introducción: los mielolipomas suprarrenales (ML) son neoplasias benignas poco frecuentes constituidas por tejido adiposo y mieloide. Clínicamente asintomáticas, suelen ser diagnosticados incidentalmente. En México existen solo 32 casos publicados de ML, presentándose en pacientes de entre 37 a 65 años, siendo la relación hombre-mujer 1:1.1, el síntoma más comúnmente reportado es dolor abdominal inespecífico, y la cirugía abierta es el principal abordaje quirúrgico empleado en nuestro país (89%). Caso clínico: presentamos una recopilación de la literatura actual sobre ML en México, además de dos casos clínicos de pacientes con ML: un hombre de 67 años con enfermedad diverticular y una mujer de 40 años con dolor en hipocondrio; en ambos se realizó resección tumoral, midiendo 9.5 cm y 13.3 cm, respectivamente. Conclusiones: presentamos dos casos nuevos en nuestro país que corresponden a incidentalomas. En ambos casos la cirugía se realizó para confirmar el diagnóstico, así como para prevenir posibles complicaciones.

Background: Adrenal myelolipomas (ML) are rare benign neoplasms compound of adipose and myeloid tissue. Clinically they are usually asymptomatic, being diagnosed generally by incident. In Mexico, there are only 32 published cases of ML, these occur between 37 and 65 years, with the male-female ratio being 1:1.1, clinically they present with abdominal or lumbar pain, open surgery being the main surgical approach (89%). Clinical case: We made a literature review of ML in Mexico and present two clinical cases: a 67-year-old man in followup for diverticular disease and a 40-year-old woman with pain in the left upper quadrant. In both cases, tumor resection was performed measuring 9.5 cm and 13.3 cm long respectively. Conclusions: We present two new cases in our country that correspond to incidentalomas. In both cases, surgery was performed to confirm the diagnosis, as well as to prevent possible complications

Oncocitoma suprarrenal / Adrenal oncocytoma

Introducción: El oncocitoma suprarrenal es un tumor infrecuente e incidental y sin manifestaciones clínicas propias. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de oncocitoma suprarrenal y sus particularidades diagnósticas y terapéuticas. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 34 años de edad con antecedentes de salud, que se presentó por dolor lumbo-abdominal derecho, sin irradiación ni otros síntomas acompañantes. El examen físico fue normal. El ultrasonido informó un tumor de unos 7 cm de diámetro, localizado hacia el polo superior del riñón derecho. El origen suprarrenal se definió con la tomografía abdominal contrastada. Los valores sanguíneos de hormonas de la corteza suprarrenal fueron normales. Se hizo la exéresis total del tumor, mediante laparotomía convencional. El riñón estaba normal. El examen histopatológico notificó oncocitoma suprarrenal y lo ratificó la inmunohistoquímica. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Conclusiones: El oncocitoma suprarrenal es un tumor infrecuente y de hallazgo fortuito. La tomografía abdominal contrastada no tiene alta especificidad para diferenciarlo de otros tumores suprarrenales. El perfil inmunohistoquímico del tumor es concluyente en el diagnóstico definitivo(AU)

Introduction: Adrenal oncocytoma is a rare and incidental tumor without its own clinical manifestations. Objective: To present a case of adrenal oncocytoma and its diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics. Clinical case: 34-year-old male patient with a medical history, who presented with right lumbo-abdominal pain, without radiation or other accompanying symptoms. The physical exam was normal. The ultrasound reported a tumor of about 7 cm in diameter, located towards the upper pole of the right kidney. The adrenal origin was defined with contrast abdominal tomography. The blood levels of hormones of the adrenal cortex were normal. Total excision of the tumor was performed by conventional laparotomy. The kidney was normal. Histopathological examination reported adrenal oncocytoma and immunohistochemistry confirmed it. The patient evolved satisfactorily. Conclusions: Adrenal oncocytoma is a rare and fortuitous tumor. Contrast abdominal tomography does not have high specificity to differentiate it from other adrenal tumors. The immunohistochemical profile of the tumor is conclusive in the definitive diagnosis(AU)

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy for adrenal mass：report of 130 cases / 中国癌症杂志

Background and purpose:Laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy makes access to the adrenal glands easier and less invasive than open surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efifcacy of laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.Methods:A total of 130 patients who underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy for adrenal mass from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2012 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were retrospectively assessed. Their clinicopathological factors, perioperative complications and short-term prognostic data were retrieved from the medical records.Results:One hundred and twenty-seven of 130 patients underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy successfully, and 3 patients were converted to open surgery due to severe bleeding. Among 130 patients, 63 were male and 67 were female, with the mean age 50.0 years. The pathological results of the 130 patients indicated adrenocortical adenoma in 68, pheochromocytoma in 15, medullary lipoma in 13, adrenal cysts in 10 , ganglioneuroma in 7, metastatic cancer in 5, adrenal hyperplasia in 4, schwannoma in 3, lymphangioma in 2, adrenal hematoma in 1, adrenal cortical carcinoma in 1, adrenal angiosarcoma in 1 and the deputy spleen in 1 (one patient suffering from both pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma). The maximum diameters were ranging from 0.5 to 9.0 cm, and mean diameter was 3.48 cm. The average blood loss in surgery was 62.73 mL. Mean length of stay in hospital was 7 d. GradeⅠ complications occurred in 5 patients, including 2 of fever, 1 of food allergy, 1 of drug allergy and 1 of hypokalemia.Conclusion: Retroperitoneal adrenalectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice for the resection of most adrenal tumors in skilled centers with the advantages of minimal invasion, increased safety and faster recovery.

Clinical analysis of 128 cases of adrenal incidentalomas / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To improve the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of adrenal incidentalomas to guide clinical management of this disease. Methods One hundred and twenty-eight cases were diagnosed as adrenal incidentalomas due to health examination or treatment of other than adrenal disease,including 60 males and 68 females,whose ages were between 20 and 75 years,with a mean age of 50 years.Tumor diamer:＜3 cm 63 cases,3-6 cm 6 cases,＞6 cm 10 cases.128 patients all had biochemical and electrolyte examination,adrenal cortex and medulla biochemical testing,abdominal ultrasound and CT examination,6 cases with MRI examination.Surgery and post operative pathological examination were performed in all patients. Results Post operative pathology finally diagnosed adrenocortical adenoma in 85 cases,pheochromocytoma in 13 cases,adrenal cyst in 8 cases,paraganglioma and myeiolipoma in 7 eases respectively,adrenal nodular hyperplasia in 4 cases,adrenocortical carcinoma in 2 cases,adrenoconical oncocytoma,cellular Schwannoma and adrenal liposarcoma in 1 case,respectively.One case of pheochromocytoma patients died of intraoperative hypotension,which is not included in the total number. Conclusions The preperative diagnosis of adrenal incidentalomas is difficult.For adrenal incidentalomas with diameter more than 6 cm and those with endocrine function,early surgicM treatment is recommended.

Primary adrenal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: report of 7 cases / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal lymphoma. Methods The clinical data of 7 adrenal primary lymphoma cases were retrospectively analyzed. Five cases were male,2 were female. Age ranged from 33 to 62 years,mean 48 years. Two cases presented with unilateral and 5 cases with bilateral masses. Two cases were found by regular health examination. Two cases had fever and weakness, with body weight loss for 3-4 months. One case had enlarged testis for 1 month. Two cases had lumbar pain accompanied by enlarged spleen. Abdominal ultra-sonography and CT showed adrenal neoplasms. All 7 cases had elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (367-568 U/L, normal range 100-245 U/L) and β2 microglobulin (5.9-6.3 mg/L, normal range 2.4 mg/L). The CT showed irregular,inhomogeneous adrenal mass which was mildly enhanced. Results Four of the 7 patients were misdiagnosed before operation. Two patients were diagnosed as adrenal lymphoma by biopsy. One patient was diagnosed by testicular biopsy. One was T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Six cases were diagnosed as diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by pathology. Immunohistochemieally,the tumor cells were positive for CD3,CD45-RO, L26 and CD79a. Four patients had their adrenal mass removed and received chemotherapy afterwards. As follow-up of 2 years, 1 patient had no evidence of recurrence. Three patients died after 2,6,20 months after opera-tion. Three cases took chemotherapy and radiation therapy after diagnosed. They died 19,32, 38 months during follow up. Conclusions Because adrenal mass as the primary representation of prima-ry adrenal lymphoma has no characteristic clinical appearance, diagnosis could not be made preopera-tively. The principal treatment consists of adrenalectomy and adjuvant combination chemotherapy.

Composite pheochromoeytoma of adrenal: report of 4 cases / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical characteristics and management principles of com-posite pheochromoeytoma of adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma). Methods Four cases of composite tumor of adrenal gland diagnosed pathologically were reviewed. All the cases were male, aged 37 to 62 years;three of them had the history of hypertension, one of them accompanied with paroxysmal palpitation, while one case was asymptomatic. Computerized tomography and ultra-sonography showed single tumor in adrenal, the diameter was about 2.5、3.8、6.3、15cm respectively. Two cases showed positive results in 131Ⅰ-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. One case showed positive result in 99Tcm-hydrazinonicotinamide-3trysinoctreotide (HTOC) scintigraphy. Twenty-four hours urinary catecholamine examination revealed the average of norepinephrine, epi-nephrine and dopamine were (196.1±92.2)nmol/24 h, (26.6±8.9)nmol/24 h, (1957.9±913.5) nmol/24 h respectively. Two cases were at a little elevated level and the others with normal. All cases were managed with α-adrenergic receptor blocker preoperatively for 2-4 weeks. Results Tumor re-section was performed in all 4 cases, and 3 cases by retroperitoneal laparoscopy, one by open surgery. All 4 cases were diagnosed as composite pheochromocytoma of adrenal (Pheochromocytoma-gangli-oneuroma) by pathology. All patients had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during follow-up from 15 to 38 months. Two of three cases with hypertension reverted to normotensive. Conclusions Composite pheochromocytoma of adrenal is rare, difficult to be diagnosed preoperatively. Except mild in eatecholamine secretion, which clinical manifestations are similar to pheochromocytoma. Pheochro-mocytoma-ganglioneuroma is no apparent tendency for aggressive behaviors, the results of surgical management are favorable.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of adrenal lipomatous tumors / 中华泌尿外科杂志

be diagnosed by imaging examination before operation.The ALT patients with large or symptomatic adrenal lipomatous lesions or preoperatively diagnosed teratoma should be given surgical treatment.

Treatment of renal or adrenal tumor with cancer thrombus in the inferior vena cava / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To discuss the treatment of renal or adrenal tumor with cancer thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Methods From Jan 1984 to Apr 2008,29 cases of renal or adrenal malignancy with thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava underwent treatment.The diagnoses were confirmed by Doppler uhrasonography,CT and MRI.In the 29 surgical patiens the tumor thrombus was level I in 7,level Ⅱ in 10,level Ⅲ in 8 and levelⅣin 4.According to TNM classification,23 cases were classified to T2N.M.,1 case was T2Nl Mo,1 case was TzNlMl,1 case was T3NoMo,2 case were T3NlMl and 1 case was T3N2Mo.The mean tumor size was 8.7(4.O-16.O)cm in diameter.The mean tumor thrombosis length was 3.2(2.5-4.0)cm in level I,5.3(4.5-6.0)cm in level Ⅱ,8.2(6.5-9.O)cm in levelⅢand 15.1(12.0-18.5)cm in level IV. Results The operation was performed succesgfullv in 29 patients Patholocieal examination showed that 18 cases of clear cellcarcinoma,3 cases sarcomatoid carcinoma,2 cases renal papillary adenocarcinoma,1 case renal cell carcinoma (undifferentiated),1 case granule carcinoma,3 cases adrenocortical carcinoma and 1 case metastatic malignant melanoma of adrenal gland.Of 29 patients,3 were out of contact.Twenty-six patients were followed up for 35(0-62)months after treatment,3-and 5-year survival rates were 15/26 and 11/26.Three-year survival rates for stage T2 and T3 were 14/22 and 1/4.Five-year survival rates for stage T2 and T3 were 10/22 and 1/4.Three-year survival rates for level I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ andⅣ were 4/6,5/8,5/8 and 1/4.Five-year survival rates for level I,Ⅱ、Ⅲ andⅣ were 3/6,4/8,3/8 and 1/4.Three-year survival rates for a tumor thrombus in the below or above diaphragm were 14/22 versus 1/4,5-year survival rates were 10/22 versus 1/4.Three-year and 5-year survival rates for the patients without distant metastases and lymph node involvement were 12/18 and 9/18.Three-year and 5-year surviral rates for the patients with distant metastases and lymph node involvement were 3/8 and 2/8.The 3 surgical patients with metastatic disease died at 6,10,22 months. Conclusions Surgical treatment could be the preferred approach for the patients of renal or adrenal tumor with cancer thrombus in the inferior vena cava without distant metastases and lymph node involvement.It could improve the quality of life and may prolong survival.

Primary adrenal non-Hodgkin iymphoma (two cases report and review of the literature) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal lymphoma(PAL).Methods Two cases of PAL were retrospectively analyzed and the literature was reviewed.Results One patient received laparoscopic right adrenalectomy and was diagnosed as B cell Non Hodgkin's lymphoma by pathology.Immunohistochemical stains showed positive for CD20 (B cell originmarker) but negative for CD3.0ne cycle CHOP ( eyclophosphamide,doxorubicin,vincristine,andprednisone) chemotherapy was given post operation but the patient died three months after operationbecause of dyscrasia.Another patient received 2-stage bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy.Immuno histoehemical staining demonstrated positive CD3 (T cell origin marker) activity,but negative CD20 ac tivity and T cell Non l lodgkin's lymphoma was confirmed.Then the patient received four cyclesCHOP chemotherapy and was in good condition during S months follow up.Conclusions PAL is arare disease and has a poor prognosis.Most reported PAL patients who received only one therapeuticmodality have unsatisfactory survival rates.A combination of therapeutic modalities such as surgeryfollowed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may improve prognosis for patients with PAL than sin gle modality therapy.

Open surgery for huge adrenal tumors: clinical report of 44 cases / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To summarize the experience in open surgery for huge adrenal tumors in order to improve its safety and efficiency of this complicated surgical procedure. Methods Fortyfour consecutive patients with huge adrenal tumors underwent open surgery with mean long tumor diameter of 13 cm (9-34 cm), and autologous blood transfusion was prepared in routine. It was analyzed retrospectively for clinical data, perioperative complications and the effective and safety results of this procedure. Results The incision was oblique in lumbar region in 5 cases, subcostal unilaterally in 32 cases and abdomino-thoracic joint in 7 cases. There were 27 malignant tumors (61.4%) in 44 cases, 3 with hepatic invasion, 6 with thrombi extending into inferior vena cava, among which 2 needed translocation of artificial blood vessels and 3 needed cardio-pulmonary bypass. The mean blood loss was 1309 ml (100-3000 ml) in 41 cases(93.2%)and the autologous blood transfusion was used in 20 case (45.5%). There were 1 diaphragmatic injury, 1 pleura injury, 3 hemorrhage in large amount more than 15 000 ml and 2 peritoneal cavity infection.There were no perioperative deaths and 42 tumors (95.5%) were curatively resected. Conclusions Open surgery for huge adrenal tumors is a complicated surgical technique with high risk and large amount of blood loss. The key points to success are proper selection of incision, routine autologous blood transfusion, perfect surgical skills and good cooperation between different specialties.

Spontaneous Rupture of Adrenal Metastasis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Rupture of adrenal tumor from various primary origins is a rather rare event. We report here on a ruptured adrenal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma, and this ruptured metastasis was observed at the time of the initial diagnosis.

The evalution of imaging diagnosis of adrenal tumors (report of 385 cases) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To elevate ability of diagnosing adrenal tumors. Methods B-ultrasonography were performed on 385 cases;CT scanning were on 385 cases;IVU were on 380 cases;MRI were on 180 cases;Doppler were on 63 cases;DSA were on 16 cases;MRA were on 28 cases;MIBG were on 34 cases;3 cases were performed tumors biopsy directed through CT. Results The accurate localization rate of APA,Cushing tumors,Pheo,myelolipoma with B-ultrasonography were 92.7%,88.3%,100.0%,100.0% respectively.The accurate qualitative rate of diagnosis were 83.2%,86.7%,83.4%,100.0% respectively.With CT scanning were 98.2%,98.7%,100.0%,100.0% and 90.5%,92.3%,83.4%,100.0% respectively.With MRI were 90.4%,96.5%,100.0%,100.0% and 72.8%?93.5%?85.8%?100.0% respectively. Conclusions The overall data of imaging is helpful in diagnosis of adrenal tumors.Correct localization of the tumors is the key step for the treatment.

Nonfunctional malignant adrenal tumor(report of 12 cases) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To review the clinical features,diagnosis,management and prognosis of patients with nonfunctional malignant adrenal tumors. Methods 12 patients admitted with nonfunctional malignant adrenal tumors from 1990 to 2000 were reviewed.Among them 6 cases had symptoms of fever,ostealgia,etc.The tumor measured 3 cm in 1 case,5 to 10 cm in 9 cases and more than 10 cm in 2 cases.Ten cases developed local invasion and (or) matastasis. Results Five cases underwent tumor excision or enucleation and 5 underwent biopsy only.Of these 10 cases,4 were pathologically diagnosed as cortical adenocarcinoma,4 as metastatic carcinoma,1 as mucous liposarcoma and 1 as lymphoma.The remaining 2 cases had no operation.One case died during hospital stay.Ten cases died within 2 years.One case of adrenocortical carcinoma experienced relapse 3 years after initial operation and died next year. Conclusions Nonfunctional malignant adrenal tumor is rare and difficult to diagnosis in early stage,indicating an extremely poor prognosis.Tumor diameter is an important factor to be considered regarding surgical indication.

CT Findings of Rare Adrenal Interstitial Tissue Tumors / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To analysis the CT features in 7cases of rare adrenal interstitial tissue tumors.Methods 7 cases of rare adrenal interstitial tissue tumors were verified with operation and histology.2 cases were cyst and 2 were lipoma,neurofibroma,neurilemoma and mesenchymoma was 1 case,respctively.Results Adrenal cyst and lipoma appered the density of water and fat.neurofibroma and neuriemoma were slightly low density mass,without enhancement.There were cystic lesion in neurilemoma.Mesenchymoma had slight or moderate enhancement.Conclusion It is difficult or impossible to distinguish nuerofibroma,neurilemoma or mesenchymoma from non-function adenoma or pheochromocytoma except adrenal cyst and lipoma.

CT Diagnosis of Rare Adrenal Neoplasms / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate CT features of adrenal neoplasms.Methods 9 cases of rare adrenal neoplasms were verified with operation and histology.3 cases were ganglioneuroma,2 cases were neuroblastoma and the remaining four were cyst,neurofibroma,lipoma and mesenchymoma.Results Adrenal cyst,neuroblastoma and lipoma had their obvious CT features.All adrenal ganglioneuroma,neurofibroma and mesenchymoma had low or equivalent density.Ganglioneuroma and neurofibroma had no enhancement but mesenchymoma had slight or moderate enhancement.Conclusion It is difficult or impossible to distinguish these tumors,except cyst,neuroblastoma and lipoma,from non-function adenoma or pheochromocytoma.

Evaluation of risk factors of adrenal incidentaloma during follow up / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To assess the risk factors of adrenal incidentalomas during follow up. Methods In 43 patients with adrenal incidentalomas, the significant risk factors were screened by univariate analysis, and the multivariate analysis was evaluated by logistic regression. Results After an average of (4.0?1.2)years of follow up,4 out of in 21 patients with adrenalectomy were verified to be malignant. By means of multivariate analysis, tumor size ( P =0.018)and abnormal level of hormonal or its metabolic products ( P =0.039)were the risk factors for adrenal incidentalomas and adrenalectomy should be considered when indicated. Conclusions The gains and losses of open surgery for adrenal incidentalomas should be weighed up.If the evaluation of risk factors reveals a possibility of malignancy,adrenalectomy should be undertaken.

Caval-atrial venovenous bypass technique in vena caval thrombectomy for renal and adrenal carcinomas with inferior vena cava involvement / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To assess the value of caval-atr ial venovenous bypass technique in resection of tumor thrombus for renal or adr enal carcinomas with inferior vena cava involvement. Methods From Mar.to Aug.of 2000,4 patients with renal or adrenal carcinoma extendi ng into inferior vena cava were admitted and evaluated.Radical nephrectomy and v ena cava thrombectomy were performed with the use of caval-atrial venovenous by pass technique. Results There was no significant change of hemodynamic parameters during vena cava thrombectomy.A part of tumor thrombu s in 1 case was left in situ because of its compact adhesion to the wall of infe rior vena cava.The tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava were completely removed in the other 3. Conclusions Caval-atrial venovenous byp ass technique is a simple and safe method during vena cava thrombectomy.

Laparoscopic surgery for adrenal tumors(A report of 8 cases) / 中国微创外科杂志

8 cases of adrenal tumors were subjected to laparoscopy from October 2000 to June 2001.Success was achieved in 7 cases, one patient was convevted to open surgery because of bleeding. Recovery was uneventful in all without complication. The indications and technique of operation as well as complications were discussed.

Metastatic adrenal carcinoma(report of 11 cases) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of metastatic adrenal carcinoma. Methods The data of 11 cases of metastatic adrenal carcinoma who were admitted from December 1993 to March 2003 were reviewed,including 4 cases of lung carcinoma,5 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,1 case of bile duct carcinoma and 1 case of renal cell carcinoma.The main clinical manifestations were waist pain in 3,fatigue and weight loss in 3,hematuria in 1 and no symptom in 4.All the 11 cases underwent B-ultrasonography and CT scan,of whom 2 underwent positron emission tomography (PET).All patients were treated by surgical operation,including 9 cases by total adrenalectomy,1 case by palliative adrenalectomy and 1 bilateral metastatic case by left-adrenalectomy alone. Results In 5 cases by total adrenalectomy the survival time was 6 to 63 months with a mean of 34 months.Two cases were followed up for 2 to 16 months and 2 cases were lost with follow-up.One case by palliative adrenalectomy survived for 3 months.One bilateral metastatic case by left-adrenalectomy survived for 4 months. Conclusions Ultrasonography and CT are important in the diagnosis of metastatic adrenal carcinoma,and PET is of greater value in clinical practice.Complete adrenalectomy may be the best treatment choice to prolong the survival time.

Surgical approaches of adrenal tumors(report of 1 077 cases) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To identify the optimal surgical approaches for the resection of adrenal tumors. Methods The choices and effects of surgical approaches in 1 077 patients with adrenal tumors of varying sizes and types were analyzed. Results An 11th or 10th intercostal incision was used for 567 cases of aldosterone producing adrenocortical tumors (APA) and Cushing syndrome (CUS).An 11th or 10th incision was used in 173 cases of pheochromocytomas and 136 cases of incidental tumors.Transabdominal approach was performed in 136 cases of pheochromocytomas and 22 cases of incidental tumors.Twenty five patients receiving thoracoabdominal approach were all those with pheochromocytomas or incidental tumors.Nine patients with adrenal tomors less than 4 cm in diameter received laparoscopic surgery.Surgeries included 1 060 cases of tumor resection and 17 cases of biopsies,and splenectomy was procedured in 9 patients simultaneously. The main complication of 11th or 10th intercostal incision approach was pleural injury,and transabdominal approach had its main complication of spleen injury. Conclusions An 11th or 10th intercostal incision is the best choice for patients with APA,CUS and pheochromocytoma or incidental tumor less than 7 cm in diameter.For tumors greater than 7 cm,transabdominal or thoracoabdominal approach is indicated.Transabdominal approach is also indicated for extra adrenal or multiple pheochromocytomas and bilateral adrenal tumors.The 11th or 10th intercostal incisions or thoracoabdominal incisions provide more chances of renal vessel repair and renal sparing compared with transabdominal approach for pheochromocytomas adjacent to the renal vascular pedicle.Laparoscopic surgery is suitable for patients with adrenal tumors less than 6 cm in diameter.