Korean J Urol.  2011 Aug;52(8):582-585. 10.4111/kju.2011.52.8.582.

Myelolipomas of Both Adrenal Glands

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea. mkkim@jbnu.ac.kr

Abstract

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare, nonfunctional benign tumor that is composed of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements. In the past, these tumors were accidentally discovered at autopsy. Today, they are found much more frequently and incidentally, mainly because of the widespread use of noninvasive imaging with ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Most lesions are asymptomatic, small, and unilateral, but a number of bilateral tumors have been reported. We report here on a case of a 48-year-old man with incidentally found myelolipomas of both adrenal glands. In particular, a giant myelolipoma of the left adrenal gland was treated by transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Keyword

Adrenal glands; Laparoscopy; Myelolipoma

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Adrenal Glands
Adrenalectomy
Autopsy
Humans
Laparoscopy
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Myelolipoma

Figure

  • FIG. 1 The CT scan shows bilateral masses in the adrenal glands with densities indicating adipose tissue. (A) Axial section image. (B) Coronal section image.

  • FIG. 2 The magnetic resonance imaging shows the masses having high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image (A) and low signal intensity on the T1 fat-suppressed image (B).

  • FIG. 3 (A) Macroscopic view of the left adrenal myelolipoma. (B) Myelolipoma composed of mature fat mixed with hematopoietic element including megakaryocytes. Note the normal adrenal cortical tissue (right) (H&E, ×200).


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