Clinical MRI of the Abdomen by Nicholas C. Gourtsoyiannis

Author:Nicholas C. Gourtsoyiannis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg

15.4.2.3 Teratoma

Teratoma of the adrenal gland is extremely uncommon. There are five cases of adrenal teratoma reported in the literature [13]. In all reported cases, the origin of the tumour was indeterminate, and the adrenal gland could not be ruled out. However, retroperitoneal teratomas can extend via the para-adrenal region into the adrenal gland, so the involvement of the adrenal gland might be secondary.

Teratomas originate from totipotential germ cells. Solid teratomas may contain derivations from all three germ cell layers. Cystic teratomas, however, usually contain only ectodermal elements.

Most teratomas are asymptomatic, but they can cause nonspecific symptoms and abdominal pain. They have been seen in adolescents and young adults who had non-specific back pain. Acute complications such as rupture or torsion may occur. Malignant transformation is possible. Malignant transformation in a cystic teratoma occurs in foci of immature elements with different types of malignancy arising, the most common being squamous cell carcinoma.

The benign cystic teratomas are usually unilocular and filled with sebaceous material. The margins of the tumour are well demarcated. Solid elements arising from the wall (Rokitansky nodule, dermoid plug) are highly specific for cystic teratomas.

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