Nature reviews. Endocrinology
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Endocrine glands are among the organs that most frequently harbor incidentally discovered lesions. Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal incidentalomas are increasingly encountered in everyday practice with variable clinical implications. The major concerns are the risks of malignancy and hormonal hypersecretion mostly in the form of subclinically functioning tumors. ⋯ The best biochemical criterion of subtle cortisol excess remains elusive. Surgical intervention in selected cases results in some beneficial effects, but more data are required in order to routinely support surgery in this clinical setting. This Review provides a brief overview of the prevalence, clinical effect and management of endocrine incidentalomas with a focus on data regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges imposed by incidentally discovered adrenal lesions.