Adherence to adrenal incidentaloma guidelines is influenced by radiology report recommendations.

Introduction: Approximately 5% of all abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans reveal an adrenal incidentaloma. Although most adrenal incidentalomas are benign non-functioning adenomas, lesions may be hormonally active and/or malignant. The aim of this study was to determine adherence to recommended international guidelines and potential influencing factors when an adrenal incidentaloma is identified in routine clinical practice.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed of all CT and MRI reports from December 2009 to December 2011 using a key phrase search to identify patients with an incidental adrenal lesion.

Results: A total of 125 patients with incidental adrenal lesions were identified, of which 74 patients were considered appropriate for further endocrine/radiological workup. Of the 74 patients, only 19 (26%) were initially referred to the endocrine service for investigation; 21/74 (28%) had complete biochemical workup and 24/74 (32%) had imaging follow-up arranged. The reporting radiologist provided advice for follow-up in 31/74 (42%), and action was more likely to be taken when this recommendation was given. Follow-up of the patients who had not received investigation was attempted resulting in assessment of a further 23 patients. Of the 44 patients who have undergone full assessment, four patients were found to have clinically significant lesions (one each of: Cushing's syndrome, phaeochromocytoma, Conn's syndrome and plasmacytoma).

Conclusion: This study suggests that the majority of adrenal incidentalomas may not be investigated according to current international guidelines. The recommendations by the reporting radiologist appear to influence whether a patient is referred for further investigation.