Nonfunctioning Adrenal Incidentalomas: The Search for Subclinical Cardiac Alterations

By definition, an adrenal incidentaloma (AI) is an asymptomatic adrenal mass detected incidentally on imaging examination not performed for suspected adrenal diseases. The prevalence of AI has been estimated to be as high as 4.2% upon evaluation of abdomen or thorax by computed tomography (CT) scans. In most cases (85%), AIs are nonfunctioning.

In this issue of Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, Sokmen et al. selected patients (Pts) following the European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors. After confirming the presence of an adrenal adenoma through imaging tests, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, they excluded Cushing Syndrome through 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST), pheochromocytoma by urinary fractionated metanephrine test, and primary aldosteronism.

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