Adrenal gland haemangioma, a rare entity difficult to differentiate from malignancy

Abstract

Adrenal haemangioma is a rare benign vascular lesion, which is usually asymptomatic and it is typically discovered incidentally on radiographic imaging. Differential diagnosis from other benign or malignant adrenal neoplasms may be challenging, and in many cases, the diagnosis is only possible after surgical resection. We present a case of a 39 year-old female with abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant, who was referred to our hospital after incidentally discovering a mass above the right kidney on abdominal ultrasonography. MRI revealed an adrenal mass, with features not indicative of adenoma and suggestive of adrenal haemangioma, without ruling out other possible diagnoses such us phaeochromocytoma and adrenal cortical carcinoma. Biochemical tests did not reveal any endocrine dysfunction. The patient underwent adrenalectomy, and histopathological analysis confirmed a venous haemangioma. Adrenal gland haemangioma is an unusual vascular lesion, typically diagnosed incidentally during abdominal imaging. Certain radiologic features may raise suspicion for malignancy, making it difficult to distinguish them from a primary adrenal cortical carcinoma. They may also grow large, compressing surrounding structures and causing abdominal pain, or may rupture, leading to retroperitoneal hemorrhage. For these reasons, some authors recommend excision of all suspected adrenal haemangiomas, and in many cases, the final diagnosis is made only after surgical removal.