Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Adrenal Incidentaloma
An adrenal mass discovered incidentally on imaging studies performed for unrelated medical conditions.
Full Definition
An adrenal incidentaloma is an adrenal mass measuring 1 cm or larger that is discovered incidentally during imaging studies performed for reasons unrelated to adrenal pathology. These lesions require careful evaluation to determine if they are functioning (hormone-producing) or non-functioning, and whether they are benign or malignant. The management approach depends on size, imaging characteristics, and hormonal activity, with some requiring surgical intervention while others can be monitored.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify location (left/right) and size when describing incidentalomas.
In Context
- "The patient was found to have a 3 cm left adrenal incidentaloma on CT imaging performed for abdominal pain evaluation." — Radiology report
- "Biochemical workup of the adrenal incidentaloma revealed elevated metanephrines consistent with pheochromocytoma." — Endocrinology consultation note
Also known as
incidental adrenal mass
adrenaloma
Don't confuse with
adrenal adenoma
adrenal metastasis