A Case Report and Literature Review of Adrenal Myelolipoma

Abstract

Adrenal myelolipoma is considered a benign neoplasm that accounts for 6% to 16% of adrenal incidentalomas, and it is the second most common incidental adrenal tumor after adrenal adenomas. They are usually asymptomatic; however, in the presence of symptoms, significant growth, or complications, open surgical resection is indicated. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with obesity and diabetes who experienced five years of left hemiabdominal pain, which was unsuccessfully treated symptomatically. A computed tomography scan revealed findings suggestive of pancreatic lipoma and a suggestive image of left adrenal myelolipoma. Resection of the tumor was performed using an anterior midline approach, and histopathological examination confirmed left adrenal myelolipoma. The presented case represents the typical presentation of these tumors in a patient in the fifth decade of life with obesity, diabetes, and nonspecific abdominal pain possibly related to the size of the lesion found. Surgical intervention was indicated due to the presence of symptoms, lesion size, contiguity with abdominal organs, and the absence of a precise diagnosis. An anterior midline approach was chosen, and histopathological examination provided a definitive diagnosis. Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare entity that is often asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed through imaging studies. However, they should be resected when symptomatic to prevent complications. Open surgical resection is the preferred approach.