Repeated USMLE Questions Step 2 CK- 250

A 40 year-old woman presents to her regular physician for evaluation of a left adrenal mass. This mass was seen by accident last week on a CT scan during a visit to the emergency room for abdominal pain. Her vital signs, physical examination and review of systems are all normal. Her past history and family history are unremarkable.

What is the first step in management for this patient?

A- Assure the patient and schedule another CT scan after 6 months

B- Order hormonal assay to evaluate if the mass is functional or not

C- Order MRI of the mass

D- Perform a needle biopsy

E- Refer to surgery for removal of the adrenal mass

Answer:





This is a case of incidentaloma, as it name implies, a tumor that it discovered incidentally. The first crucial step is to find out if it is functional or not. Hormonal assay is the most appropriate method to figure that out.

The correct answer is B