• adrenal incidentaloma
• adrenal myelolipoma
• case report
• laparoscopic surgery
• literature review

• National Natural Science Foundation of China

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare, benign, non-functioning mass that occurs in the adrenal gland. It is composed of an admixture of hematopoietic elements and mature adipose tissue, similar to bone marrow. Even at large sizes, adrenal myelolipomas are usually asymptomatic and often incidentally found by ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) scan. This paper describes an unusual case of adrenal myelolipoma presenting as flank pain.

A 50-year-old male with severe right flank pain underwent a CT scan revealing a huge mass extending into the suprarenal space. The mass showed a fat component with retroperitoneal hemorrhage. The tumor was treated laparoscopically, and pathologic examination revealed features of myelolipoma originating from the adrenal gland.

Adrenal myelolipomas are generally asymptomatic and can be treated conservatively. However, rupture and hemorrhage of the tumor can cause symptoms requiring surgical removal.

• Adrenal neoplasms
• Myelolipoma
• Adrenal glands
• Case report

• adrenal disorders
• endocrine cancer

Adrenal myelolipoma (MLS) is a rare, benign and non-functional neoplasm, composed of adipose tissue and myeloid. We report a rare case of adrenal myelolipoma of a 20-year-old female revealed with chronic abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen guided diagnosis and surgical resection was performed given symptomatic and bulky mass. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis. At 18 months after the surgery, the patient had no evidence of recurrence. The diagnosis of MLS is radiological. Therapeutic abstention is the rule for a small, asymptomatic tumor. The surgical removal is indicated when it is bulky (exceeds 7cm), symptomatic or hormonal activity.

• Adrenal myelolipomas
• conservative management
• incidentaloma
• laparoscopic adrenalectomy