Abstract
Since the introduction of ultrasonography and computed tomography, unexpected discovery of an adrenal gland tumor in the absence of clinical symptoms is a fairly common event. Determination of the nature of the tumor can be difficult. Five cases of nonfunctional adrenal gland tumor treated surgically in a urology department (three adenomas, one myelolipoma, and one angiolipoma) are reviewed with special attention to the laboratory test and imaging study findings which established the diagnosis of nonfunctional adrenal gland tumor and suggested the histological type. The relative value of modern investigations and therapeutic approaches are discussed. Computed tomography and, above all, magnetic resonance imaging are currently the best imaging studies for establishing the diagnosis of clinically silent adrenal gland tumor. The therapeutic approach should be selected on the basis of the size of the tumor and of computed tomography findings. Surgery is warranted for solid tumors measuring more than 3 cm in diameter. Fluid-filled lesions require only aspiration with cytological examination of the fluid.