Adrenal ectopy of adult groin region: a systematic review of an unexpected anatomopathologic diagnosis.

PURPOSE: Adrenal ectopy is a rare condition, caused by abnormal embryological development of the adrenal glands and testis. This anomaly is asymptomatic and is generally diagnosed in childhood. Most cases of adrenal ectopy of the groin region have been found incidentally during surgery. This review aims to evaluate the incidence of adrenal ectopy of the adult groin region, as well as its short- and long-term significance. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Central databases to identify all studies published until December 2015. Articles written in English containing the keywords: ''ectopic adrenal tissue'' or ''aberrant adrenal tissue'' or ''adrenal heterotopy'' combined with ''groin region'' or ''inguinal'' or ''testicular" or "scrotum" and "adult" were selected. RESULTS: Fifteen articles matched the review criteria. A total of 21 cases (100 % male) were included. No cases of bilateral nodules have been reported. The mean age at diagnosis was 43.5 years old (range 19-78 years). A predominance of right-sided lesions was observed (71.4 %). The mean size reached 7.6 mm (range 2-40 mm) and hernia sacs were the most common location (47.6 %). All histological analyses of harvested tissues consisted of adrenal cortex without medulla. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that routine pathological examination of any groin tissue excised during inguinal hernia repairs is required for the diagnosis of adrenal ectopy in the groin. Although there is no current evidence that endocrine or oncologic complications can occur from excision of ectopic adrenal tissue, further confirmatory studies may be required.

[Dentigerous cysts: apropos of 40 cases]. / Les kystes dentigères: à propos de 40 observations.

The study of 40 cases of voluminous odontogenic cysts has made evident the general characteristics of these current odontogenic tumors always tied-in with a tooth without any pathognomonic sign. The diagnosis is made by reasoning, combining clinical information, age, localisation, development, x-ray's information and anatomo-pathological parameters. The treatment is surgical enucleation of the cyst and it's generally easy.

[Hamartomas of the breast. Apropos of 14 histologically controlled cases]. / Hamartomes du sein. A propos de 14 observations histologiquement contrôlées.

14 cases of mammary hamartomas are reported. The WHO describes the mammary hamartoma, as a pseudo-tumor made of ducts and lobules, with fibrosis or adipose connective tissue. The mammogram consists in a well circumscribed tumor generally surrounded by a defined zone of less attenuation. Surgically, the hamartoma can usually be enucleated. Microscopy reveals lobules always but inconstant adipose tissue. Confrontation between gross and histologic features are necessary for the diagnosis. The embryologic development of the mammary gland could help to explain the origin of such a lesion, malformative rather than tumorous.