Table 4.
Demographic Characteristics and Clinical, Imaging, and Biochemical Presentation of Patients With Large Adenomasa,b
| Variable | All adenomas | Adrenalectomy | Conservative management | P value (adrenalectomy vs conservative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. (%) | 216 | 118 (55) | 98 (45) | |
| Sex: female, No. (%) | 134 (62) | 78 (66) | 56 (57) | .18 |
| Age at diagnosis (y), median (range) | 61 (25 to 91) | 58 (25 to 87) | 63 (28 to 91) | .003c |
| Mode of discovery, No. (%) | .22 | |||
| Incidental | 184 (85) | 102 (86) | 82 (84) | |
| Hormone excess | 18 (8) | 12 (10) | 6 (6) | |
| Otherd | 14 (7) | 4 (4) | 10 (10) | |
| Evaluated by endocrinologist: yes, No. (%) | 181 (84) | 103 (87) | 78 (80) | .13 |
| Location, No. (%) | .08 | |||
| Right | 81 (38) | 48 (40) | 33 (34) | |
| Left | 96 (44) | 55 (47) | 41 (42) | |
| Bilateral | 39 (18) | 15 (13) | 24 (24) | |
| Adrenal mass diameter (cm), median (range) | 4.5 (4 to 17) | 4.8 (4 to 17) | 4.4 (4 to 11.8) | .04c |
| Unenhanced CT attenuation (HU), median (range) | Available for 138 patients: 10.5 (−63.8 to 71.3) | Available for 69 patients: 14 (−64 to 71) | Available for 69 patients: 9 (−19 to 60) | .06 |
| Unenhanced CT attenuation (HU category), No. (%) | Available for 138 patients: | Available for 69 patients: | Available for 69 patients: | .04c |
| ≤10 HU | 68 (49) | 28 (41) | 40 (58) | |
| >10 HU | 70 (51) | 41 (59) | 29 (42) | |
| Hormonal excess, No. (%) | .002c | |||
| No hormonal excess | 111 (51) | 46 (39) | 65 (66) | |
| Overt cortisol excess | 11 (5) | 9 (7.6) | 2 (2) | |
| Mild cortisol excess | 88 (41) | 59 (50) | 29 (30) | |
| Hyperaldosteronism | 5 (2) | 3 (2.5) | 2 (2) | |
| Androgen excess | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.9) | 0 (0) |
a
CT = computed tomography; HU = Hounsfield units.
b
Range was defined as minimum to maximum value.
c
Indicates statistical significance with P values <.05.
d
Other: cancer staging, mass effect, and B symptoms.