Bilateral Adrenal Adenomas Attributed to Extrapulmonary Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Introduction: Adrenal infections are rare, with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) being the most common causative agent in the developing world. MTB usually spreads to the adrenal glands hematogenously where it may be clinically manifested years after systemic infection. Here, we present a case of bilateral adrenal MTB infection associated with MTB peritonitis. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old male, from Ecuador, without significant medical history and no medical follow-up presented to the emergency room with a two-week history of abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and significant weight loss. He denied fever, cough, or night sweats. No smoking, alcohol, or illicit drug use. He works as a construction worker without a history of sick contacts. Vital signs were stable, with abdominal distension and fluid shifting dullness on exam. Blood work revealed leucocyte count of 5.58K (4-11K), INR 1.2 (0.9–1.1), Sodium 132 mEq/L (136–145 mEq/L) with albumin 3.3 mg/dL (3.5–5.2 mg/dL), total bilirubin level, 1.3 mg/dL (0–1.2 mg/dL), and AST and alkaline phosphatase levels, 73 U/L (0–40 U/L) and 186 U/L (40–129 U/L) respectively. Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed large ascites, omental nodularity, calcified gall bladder, bilateral adrenal nodules, and multiple abdominal lymphadenopathies. Chest CT revealed right apical reticulonodular densities. A diagnostic paracentesis revealed an exudative effusion with serum ascites albumin gradient of 0.7, and negative acid fast bacilli (AFB) and adenosine deaminase enzyme. Ascitic cellular analysis was negative for malignant cells. AFB blood and sputum cultures were negative, though Quantiferon gold test was positive and a skin tuberculin test was 13x13mm. Tumor markers CA19-9, CEA, and alpha-fetoprotein came back negative. Additionally, serum aldosterone, plasma metanephrines, DHEA-S, AM Testosterone, ACTH, and morning cortisol levels were normal. The patient had a negative 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed a hypermetabolic left adrenal mass (4.9x3.2 cm) and nodular peritoneum with no fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Peritoneal biopsy analysis revealed non-caseating granuloma positive for MTB. The adrenal biopsy was not performed given the extensive intra-abdominal disease. The patient was started on anti-MTB treatment (Isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) with significant clinical improvement and a slight decrease in the adrenal masses following abdominal imaging. Conclusion: Extrapulmonary MTB should be part of a differential diagnosis for bilateral adrenal masses. Adrenal glands could be infected by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms either by direct contact or hematogenous dissemination. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of MTB in patients with atypical presentation.