Abstract:

Adrenal tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis often destroys bilateral adrenal tissues, leading to secondary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease). The disease has an insidious onset with non-specific early manifestations, which frequently results in missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Advanced disease may trigger severe complications such as electrolyte disturbance and adrenal crisis. Early identification and standardized diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving patient prognosis. This paper systematically reviews research advances regarding the epidemiological profile, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, key points for diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies of adrenal tuberculosis. It also highlights current limitations in this field, including insufficient mechanistic elucidation, lack of early diagnostic biomarkers, and immature individualized treatment regimens. Prospects for future basic research, optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, and long-term patient management are further discussed, providing references for clinical practice and related scientific research on this disease.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Adrenal glands, Adrenal insufficiency, Diagnosis, differential, Review