MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Adrenal gland biopsy

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Adrenal gland biopsy

The adrenal glands are endocrine glands which are located immediately on top of the kidneys. During an adrenal biopsy, a surgical incision is made in the abdomen and a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to the pathologist for testing. The biopsy is usually performed when a suspicious mass or tumor is found on one or both of the adrenal glands.

Update Date: 1/23/2006

Updated by: Jeremy Goverman, MD, Department of Trauma and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Heathcare Network.

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