Case Report: Giant adrenal pseudocyst presenting with dysuria: a rare case report

Introduction

Adrenal pseudocysts are rare, non-functional lesions accounting for a small fraction of adrenal incidentalomas. They are typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during imaging studies or autopsy. Their pathogenesis remains unclear and they are often mistaken for other retroperitoneal cystic masses. When large, adrenal pseudocysts can cause compressive symptoms involving adjacent organs. Despite advances in imaging modalities, diagnosis often remains uncertain preoperatively, with histopathology required for confirmation. This case describes a giant adrenal pseudocyst presenting with dysuria and flank pain, illustrating its clinical, radiological, and pathological features. This report complies with the CARE Checklist guidelines.¹¹

Case presentation

A 70-year-old man with no significant medical history presented with a three-month history of left flank pain, upper abdominal pressure, and dysuria. He denied trauma, fever, hematuria, or weight loss, and had no personal or family history of malignancy or endocrine disorders. Physical examination revealed a firm, painless mass in the left upper quadrant. Laboratory investigations, including renal function, adrenal hormonal profile, and complete blood count, were normal.

Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT ( Figure 1) showed a large, well-circumscribed, left retroperitoneal cystic mass (15 cm) displacing the spleen superiorly and kidney inferiorly. The left adrenal gland appeared displaced but morphologically normal. Mild left pyelocaliceal dilatation suggested ureteropelvic junction compression. No solid or enhancing components were seen. Possible diagnoses included liquefied adrenal hematoma or cystic lymphangioma.

Figure 1. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan showing a large, well-circumscribed left retroperitoneal cystic mass (~15 cm in diameter) displacing the spleen superiorly and the left kidney inferiorly.

Mild left pyelocaliceal dilatation is visible, suggesting ureteropelvic junction compression.

Surgical exploration via midline laparotomy revealed a large retroperitoneal cystic mass adherent to the adrenal gland and adjacent organs ( Figure 2A). Complete resection with left adrenalectomy was performed ( Figure 2B). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on day five.

Figure 2. A: Intraoperative view showing a large retroperitoneal cystic mass adherent to the left adrenal gland and compressing adjacent organs including the spleen and pancreas. B: Gross specimen after surgical excision, showing complete removal of the cyst along with the left adrenal gland (adrenalectomy).

Gross examination ( Figure 3A) showed a unilocular cyst measuring 14 × 11 × 7 cm with a thick fibrous wall and hemorrhagic content. Microscopy ( Figure 3B) revealed a fibrous wall with calcifications, chronic inflammation, cholesterol clefts, and multinucleated giant cells, but no epithelial lining—confirming an adrenal pseudocyst. Adjacent adrenal parenchyma was compressed but otherwise normal.

Figure 3. A: Macroscopic image of the resected cystic lesion demonstrating a unilocular cyst measuring 14 × 11 × 7 cm with a thick fibrous wall and hemorrhagic content. B: Microscopic examination (H&E stain, ×100) showing a fibrous wall with calcifications, chronic inflammation, cholesterol clefts, and multinucleated giant cells. No epithelial lining is identified, confirming the diagnosis of an adrenal pseudocyst.

Discussion

Adrenal pseudocysts are rare,¹ accounting for about 5–7% of adrenal incidentalomas.² They lack epithelial lining and are thought to arise from prior hemorrhage, infection, or degeneration.³ Most are asymptomatic and found incidentally, but those exceeding 10 cm can cause symptoms due to mass effect.^1,3–5

In this case, the pseudocyst compressed the urinary tract, explaining the dysuria. Similar presentations have been described with ureteral or gastrointestinal compression.^6,7 CT imaging aids localization but cannot reliably distinguish benign from malignant cystic lesions.⁸ Differential diagnoses include adrenal hemorrhage, cystic lymphangioma, pancreatic pseudocyst, and cystic adrenal neoplasms.⁹

Histology remains the diagnostic gold standard. The absence of epithelial lining and presence of cholesterol clefts and giant cells confirmed the pseudocyst.¹⁰ Although most adrenal cysts are benign, up to 7% may harbor malignancy.^2,3,10 Management depends on size, symptoms, hormonal activity, and malignancy risk. Lesions fewer than 5 cm can be monitored; larger, symptomatic, or uncertain lesions require surgical excision.^3,9 Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is suitable for small lesions, while open surgery is preferred for giant or suspicious masses, as in this case.

Conclusion

Adrenal pseudocyst is a rare entity, particularly when reaching giant size. Surgical intervention is essential for symptomatic or uncertain cases to relieve symptoms and establish a definitive diagnosis. Given the non-specific radiological and clinical characteristics, histopathological examination remains crucial.

Patient perspective

The patient expressed satisfaction with the outcome and was relieved by the resolution of his symptoms. He appreciated the clarity of communication and quality of care throughout diagnosis and treatment.

Strengths and limitations

This report highlights a rare presentation of a giant adrenal pseudocyst revealed by atypical urinary symptoms, which is scarcely described in the literature. A key strength is the detailed radiological and histopathological documentation. A limitation is the short follow-up period and lack of long-term outcome data.

Ethical approval

Not applicable for single case reports according to institutional guidelines.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient.