Ectopic adrenocortical tissue found at groin exploration in children: incidence in relation to diagnosis, age and sex

OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of ectopic adrenocortical tissue (EACT) in the groin in children, and examine the relationship between the incidence and the underlying diagnosis, age and sex. PATIENTS AND METHODS From computer records, all groin explorations between 1988 and 2002 in patients ≤15 years old were identified. Cases of EACT were identified from computer histology records, and the incidence in different groups compared. RESULTS Of 935 groin explorations, EACT was identified in 25 (2.7%); there were no cases in girls. The incidence was 0.7% at inguinal herniotomy (IH), 4.1% at ligation of the patent processus vaginalis for communicating hydrocele (P = 0.03 vs IH), and 3.3% at exploration for undescended testes (P = 0.02 vs IH). In boys with undescended testes the incidence of EACT was similar in different age groups (0–7 years, 3.3%; 8–15 years 3.2%, P= 0.96). CONCLUSIONS The overall incidence of EACT at groin exploration was 2.7%, with none detected in girls. There was no evidence of involution of EACT with increasing age. The incidence of EACT varied with the underlying diagnosis, but the reason for this is unknown.