Lisämunuaisyteen

Lisämunuaisyteen, also known as accessory adrenal tissue or supernumerary adrenal tissue, refers to the presence of adrenal tissue outside of the normal adrenal glands. These ectopic (out-of-place) adrenal tissues can be found in various locations, most commonly along the path of adrenal gland development, such as in the retroperitoneum, within the spermatic cord, near the kidneys, or even in the mediastinum. They are typically small and asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally during imaging studies or surgical procedures for unrelated conditions.

The development of accessory adrenal tissue is thought to arise from misplaced adrenal cell nests during embryonic development. These nests, which are destined to form the adrenal glands, may detach and migrate to aberrant locations. Histologically, accessory adrenal tissues resemble normal adrenal cortical tissue. While usually benign and non-functional, in rare instances, these tissues can exhibit hormonal activity, potentially leading to conditions like Cushing's syndrome or aldosteronism if they produce excess corticosteroids or mineralocorticoids, respectively.

Diagnosis is primarily based on imaging modalities like CT or MRI. Treatment is generally not required unless the accessory adrenal tissue is causing symptoms due to hormonal overproduction or is suspected of being a more serious lesion. In such cases, surgical excision may be considered. The clinical significance of lisämunuaisyteen lies in its potential for hormonal dysfunction and the importance of differentiating it from other retroperitoneal masses.