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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: EJE-09-0473v1 161/4/529    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Terzolo, M. Articles by Angeli, A. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Terzolo, M. Articles by Angeli, A.

Definition of an optimal strategy to evaluate and follow-up adrenal incidentalomas: time for further research

Medicina Interna I, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia San Luigi Gonzaga, Università di Torino, ASO San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043 Orbassano, Torino, Italy

(Correspondence should be addressed to M Terzolo; Email: terzolo{at}usa.net)

Clinical endocrinologists have to deal frequently with adrenal incidentalomas in their practice. However, no comprehensive guidelines have been published by professional societies to guide assessment and management of adrenal incidentalomas and current recommendations are mainly based on the NIH state-of-the-science statement or expert opinions. An accompanying paper in this issue of the journal provides a critical revision of the relevant literature on this clinically important topic. The provocative conclusion of the authors is that current recommendations are burdened by high costs, little clinical benefit and also risk of inducing cancer. This paper has the merit to outline the limits of proposed protocols and to stimulate fruitful discussion; however, many aspects represent the personal view of the authors rather than evidence-based assumptions. The purpose of the present comment is to provide a more balanced view addressing the arguments that are condivisible and those that are based on inconsistent data. To add further to the argument of discussion, we also outline a clinically-oriented strategy for follow-up. In conclusion, the need for further research appears evident to define more efficient guidelines.